"Arabica"

"Arabica" / 9 x 12" / acrylic & ink on paper 

Here we go again! Welcome to Series 4 of my daily illustration blog, Alphabet Attack! I'm kicking off this run with a piece dedicated to that most magical beverage -- coffee!

I've been a fan of the bitter brown, since I was a wee boy. My late, Southern Baptist grandmother used to make instant coffee in a battered, stainless steel saucepan, then temper it with a splash of condensed milk. And while I don't remember how old I was when she finally allowed me to take a sip of it, I do know I was hooked from that very first taste.

Nowadays, I tend to take my coffee black. But even with sugar & cream -- be it dark roast or light beans -- a hot cup of coffee makes my morning quite supreme!

- Dave C.

Swordplay Sketches

The above sketches are for an upcoming Alphabet Attack! drawing, involving a brave hero facing off against demonic fencers. It kinda feels like I've been waiting my entire life to draw a scene like this. Especially when I consider that I grew up with a heaping helping of swashbuckling films. From Errol Flynn's Robin Hood & The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, to Luke Skywalker & Zorro, sword-swinging adventure has always held a special place in my heart & imagination. So it feels wonderful to aim for that same excitement in an illustration of my own.

Alphabet Attack! Series 4

Fresh Illustrations, Monday through Friday

Starting June 3, 2013

www.alphabetattack.blogspot.com

"If I don't get some fresh bread soon, gonna punch in yer face & bark at the moon!"

- Dave C.

"Alphabet Attack!" Returns on June 3rd!

I'm proud to announce the return of my daily illustration blitzkrieg, Alphabet Attack! on Monday, June 3rd! Once again, I'll be posting new images Monday through Friday, for your eager peepers to devour.

This will be the fourth series in my illustrated run from A to Z. And it promises to be ablaze with the raw imagination you enjoyed in previous installments of the blog.

In a new twist, this series will consist entirely of black & white artwork. So I'll be challenging myself to tell clear, single-image stories, without the benefit of color. Guess it's time to stock up on the ol' india ink!

Between now and the June 3rd launch, I'll be posting behind the scenes sketches, sneak peeks & insights on the art I'm developing. So stay tuned... there will be plenty to see, before the chum hits the rotor blade, in a few weeks.

Alphabet Attack! Series 4

Fresh Illustrations, Monday through Friday

Starting June 3, 2013

www.alphabetattack.blogspot.com

"We've come to far to give up who we are."
- Dave "King Gum" Crosland

"Zenith"

"Zenith" / 14 x 17" / watercolor, acrylic & ink on paper

And so Alphabet Attack! Series 3 comes to a close, with "Zenith." Though it consists of my more frightening subject matter, I had a lot of fun creating these illustrations. It felt great to explore horrors lurking in the darker recesses of my imagination. It was also a wonderful opportunity to delve into mixed media techniques & aesthetic approaches that I had previously reserved for my sketchbooks.

Stay tuned for news, regarding the future of Alphabet Attack!

"There are those who laugh & not believe, until they feel that touch upon their sleeve."

- David Crosland

"Yorick"

 "Yorick" / 9 x 12" / ink on paper 

Today's illustration was inspired by the fictional character, Yorick, from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Although, my version of the deceased court jester is obviously of the non-human variety. I just can't help myself, when it comes to my penchant for monsters.

Low and behold, I've only got one more illustration left to go. Tune in next week for the dramatic conclusion of Series 3, as well as news of Alphabet Attack yet to come.

"I'm not saying what I did was alright,

Trying to break out of the ghetto was a day-to-day fight."

- David C.

"Xibalba"

 "Xibalba" / 14 x 17" / watercolor, acrylic & ink on paper 

Howdy, all! With the New Year comes new artwork. And that includes the long-awaited conclusion of Alphabet Attack - Series 3!

Today's illustration is "Xibalba." That was the name the Mayans gave to their brutal version of the underworld, ruled by 12 merciless Death Gods. Honestly, how could I not make a painting of this? It fits so well with the insanely-creepy theme I've been running wild with, on this blog.

"Hush me, touch me. Champaign, your hair in the breeze.
Hush me, touch me. Lipstick, a slap on my cheek."

- David C.

"Wayfarer"

 "Wayfarer" / 14 x 17" / watercolor, acrylic & ink on paper

Perhaps it's the Holidays, but I've been thinking about traveling a lot, lately. Past trips, future journeys... hell, even other people's travels have been especially interesting to me. And I think that's where the inspiration for this piece came from.

As I began sketching out this weary wanderer, though, I started wondering what sort of effect they might have had on the people they met along the way... what spell they may have cast on the very landscape they traversed. And that's where the creepy elements slithered their way into the illustration.

"We mind-boggling, spine-tingling. Got the stroll of Galactus, now I'm planet-swallowing."
- David C.