Toy Photography – Day 1

Wasn’t sure I was going to pull this off tonight. Setting things up late at night, trying to be quiet in the house while others are sleeping. This was definitely a challenge.

I used a figure I received in the mail today. A Joy Toy figure that is highly detailed. Using some old tin I had laying around and my LED lights, I tried to mock up the inside of a ship or some kind of structure. Anyway, its OK for a spur of the moment idea. Also sharing a behind the scenes look of the set up.

Kenji Tanaka – suited Assassin

This figure is part of my comic book story I’m working on. Meet Kenji Tanaka from the Japanese Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. He is part of my Threat Neutralization Team (T.N.T.)

behind the scenes
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Vinyl of the Month – Foghat LIVE

Foghat LIVE

Foghat was one of those bands in the ’70s that had a groove, a boogie. Catchy tunes you could sing along to made them the cassette to have playing while I cruised around town in my Chevy Monza.

I’ve seen Foghat in concert (1978ish) and their energy and set list made for a raucous time.

Sadly original guitarists Lonesome Dave Peverett and Rod Price have passed on, along with Bass player Craig MacGregor. Foghat is still touring, but only the original drummer Roger Earl remains.

So for the month of February the album Foghat LIVE is my choice for Vinyl of the Month. Not to mention the album went double Platinum.

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Well, what next?

So, now that my 30 days of drawing adventure has come to an end, I’ve been racking my brain wondering what to try next. What could I do during the month of February? What could I do for 28 days? I had a list started for consideration:

  • learn the harmonica (I have a set and a book)
  • work on my weight issue/fitness (this one is coming)
  • write, record and release 3-4 songs (me recording all the instruments, singing etc.)
  • Learn how to use my XP-Pen drawing tablet with Krita more efficiently
  • Create a 22 page comic book (I am a comic geek and collector)

In the end I decided on none of those for February, but that list will eventually get tried. I decided to challenge myself to create 28 different photographs (one for each day) using the many toys I own. I’m not talking about just throwing a toy up on a counter and snapping a pic with my cell phone. I’m talking setting up a photo that hopefully shows some semblance of reality.

If you’ve seen some of my photos I’ve posted here or on my Instagram, you’ll understand what I mean. These are all toys I own in the photos below. Tomorrow we begin.

McFarlane Toys Frankenstein Set
McFarlane Toys Jimi Hendrix figure
T.N.T vs Demogorgon (Funko Pop)
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You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 30!

Day/Lesson 30 – Your Hand of Creativity. Last day, last lesson. The final drawing exercise for this adventure was to draw a hand. I did my best. Like eyes, its not as easy as it looks. At least not for someone who doesn’t draw on such a detailed level.

So this is it, completed the book You Can Draw in 30 Days by Mark Kistler. If you are looking for an activity to enrich your day, I suggest getting the book and going through the lessons. You will start looking at the world a little differently. I notice shadows and shading everywhere I look now. Or I’ll break things down into basic shapes, spheres, cubes and cylinders.

Day/Lesson 30 – Your Hand of Creativity

Anyway, I tried a couple of hands, the bottom one is my hand.

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You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 29

Day/Lesson 29 – The Human Eye of Inspiration. Drawing the eye. One eye. I drew a couple of more. I think I may try some more reptile type eyes. I started to play around with that idea then realized it was very late.

Tomorrow is the last day of drawing, well I’m not going to stop drawing but its the last day for this drawing adventure. I’ll have to think of another 30 day adventure to start on Monday so I can keep this attention going. Maybe something along the lines of music?

Day/Lesson 29 – The Human Eye of Inspiration
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You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 28

Day/Lesson 28 – The Human Face. I can’t draw. This lesson sucked. I almost didn’t post this crap. but I know there are folks following this progression so here it is.

Nothing like trying to draw a human face with eyes and stuff and realize you’re just a pretender. Ugh. Terrible. Just bad. I think I’ll stick with cartoon faces. Can’t draw an eye for shizzle. Makes me want to give up but I never intended to draw life-like faces and stuff. Ah well. If I want to get more life-like I guess practice practice practice.

Day/Lesson 28 – The Human Face
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You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 27

Day 27/Lesson 27 – Lettering in Two-Point Perspective. Final lesson on perspective, this time doing some lettering. I can remember doing this freehand on my school books back in the day when we had cardboard book covers on our books.

If I did this good enough to read, you should be able to decipher my actual first name. After all, Paw Paw is what my grandson calls me, not my real name.

LetteriDay 27/Lesson 27 – Lettering in Two-Point Perspectiveng in Two-Point Perspective
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You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 26

Day/Lesson 26 – A City in Two-Point Perspective.

A City in Two-Point Perspective

Lots of drawn guide lines and then erasing of them, lots of shading. I think I could effectively draw a city block at this point and slip in details. Only 4 drawing days left. What’s next?

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You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 25

Getting down to the last 5 days now. Getting close to the end of the book. Tonight was doing more two-point perspective and drawing a castle. I embellished some with the flag and mountains and grass. Does it seem like I’m getting any better? There is one boo boo on this drawing, can you guess what it is?

Day/Lesson 25 – A Castle in Two-Point Perspective
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You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 24

Day/Lesson 24 – A Tower in Two-Point Perspective. Taking a step deeper into perspective, tonights drawing is using two perspectives on the horizon line. Pretty cool. Enjoyed this one.

Day/Lesson 24 – A Tower in Two-Point Perspective
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