"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.

"Ventilate"

"Ventilate" / 8 x 8" / watercolor, acrylic & collage on canvas

I haven't had much time to dedicate to painting, recently. So diving into this piece was extremely cathartic. Cintiqs are super-cool, yes. But I don't think anything will ever be a better match for me, than my beloved, tactile, wet mediums!

These Alphabet Attack pieces have been coming few and far between. But now that I'm down to 4 letters to go, I'm eager to wrap up the series in the next week or two. And, oh boy... just wait until you see what I have planned, after that!

"I meant everything I said. Everything I said I meant. When this much is on the line, yo there's times you gotta vent!"
- King Gum Crosland

"Undertow"

"Undertow" / 12 x 15" / colored pencil, watercolor, acrylic & ink on paper

This eerie, aquatic piece keeps with the horror theme of this Series. Of course, my powers of creepy expression are super enhanced, now that autumn is in full-swing....

"How to make a homemade mummy: get corpse, get gauze, get comfy."
- David C.

"Tawny Tigers"

"Tawny Tigers" / 12 x 15" / watercolors, acrylics, gouache & ink on paper

This was another fun mish-mash of mixed media, for me. Now that I spend so much time working on a Cintiq, I truly relish opportunities to get my hands dirty. I must have "finished" and gone back into this drawing about three times, mostly because I just wanted to keep adding marks and playing with paint.

Of course, eventually you have to put the last nail in a piece, and get on with the show!

"I'm bewildered, for we're strangers when we meet."
- David C.