And now for something completely different…

Posted on April 3, 2013 by kazpalladino — 1 Comment

Lately, I have been working on a few other projects that really…have no explanation. Going back to the illustrator roots!

“Formally Primal”

I have also been working on printing and stretching my own canvases. I am using Epson Exhibition Canvas Matte. The print quality is fabulous, though the canvas is thick and impossible to fold the corners the ‘proper’ way. I recommend using a “prevent paper abrasion” setting on your printer if you decide to do this yourself. The paper is thick and this setting will allow for more feeding space and…well, prevent smudging and “abrasion” as the canvas goes through the printer. Let it dry overnight and spray with a protective coating. The ink will scuff if handled too much, but doing this will reduce the chances at least. It’ll be a hot mess if you begin stretching before the ink is dry. You can see the canvas stretching here:

(murdery looking process pictures)

Posted in formally primal, printing on canvas, stretching canvas, victorian animals

Love in the 90’s

Posted on March 17, 2013 by kazpalladino — 1 Comment

Apparently, I am hitting the nostalgia hard this month. It must be those looming taxes making me regress harder than if I were to cross paths with a bouncy castle. But I don’t care what anyone says- I absolutely adore 90’s X-men (especially these two). Gambit was the fourth love of my life, and Rogue was just way too cool to be jealous of. They are my all-time favorite couple* despite that issue of never really being a couple (and let us not discuss how Rogue hooks up with anyone and everyone she is capable of having relations with). Maybe the tragedy of their situation never sank in as a kid, but comics and cartoons have always taught me to never believe in tragedy.** No one truly dies, Magneto really just means well, and Rogue and Gambit will find a way to make-out.

Anyway, my life wouldn’t be complete without painting them (this will probably be one of many, because I find my old work hard to tolerate). I was aiming for a 90’s palette that would get the point across without making anyone want to puke.

Quick show of process, because I love when I get to see under other artist’s skirts. This isn’t the best drawing example, but I never remember to take progress pics…Also, I am an old lady who only recently discovered applications for photo collages (I mean apps), so be prepared for another month of Brady Bunch style art display.

❤ Kaz

*hyperbole

**this is a big fat lie- I just have selective memory

Posted in 90's cartoons, character art, illustration, love, rogue and gambit, x-men

da da da dada-dada

Posted on March 14, 2013 by kazpalladino — 1 Comment

I was just so excited to finish this that I am skipping the Tauntaun Anatomy post. Now, before you say it- I know many levels are missing, but I wasn’t a fan of how that layout was working with the rest of the map. Believe me, I spent too many hours replaying the Vanilla Dome to pretend it isn’t important- but that, Valley of Bowser and Star World (etc) will just have to wait.

This map is a little different than the others. I originally wanted to just make the “continents” without elevation, but so much of the personality is about the different levels (that’s a weird pun- I mean planes). It may not be antique-y enough, too bright, too similar to the original, but it’s working for me (I hope it works for you too).

Posted in antique mario map, gamer, old school map, super mario map, super mario world, video game

And so you’re back, from outer space…

Posted on March 6, 2013 by kazpalladino — 3 Comments

There was a period of my life where I terrified my mother by wanting to join the military. I thought that my best chance of getting into the FBI was by working up through the ranks (and apparently, this seemed easier than being smart). The combination of wanting to join the x-files and those army commercials that showed cadets skydiving, frankly, had me hooked.
If the army would have taken an 11 year old girl, my life would have been pretty different.

Nonetheless, this is definitely long overdue. The X-Files got me through middle school and aided my nerdy love of sci-fi and horror. With that being said, I am trying to restrain my feelings about this. Everything after season 7 sort of broke my heart. X-Files, you are the alcoholic relationship that keeps popping back into my life. You show up after 10 years and say “baby, I’ve changed!” and my morbid curiosity (plus the sweet memories our shared summer nights) makes me think that I can give you another chance. But this needs to stop. I’ve moved on to other shows- shows that treat me right. X-Files, I will truly always love you, but I think we should just be friends.

Posted in bad relationships, nerdy love, x-files

Fear Cuts Deeper Than Swords

Posted on February 27, 2013 by kazpalladino — 4 Comments

So, this will be my last Game of Thrones related art for a while.* Arya is probably my favorite, though as indecisiveness goes, I have a few more on that list. I wanted to try painting with muted colors with this one- I had a palette and everything…but by the end it sort of deviated miserably….

Cheers!

*This is probably a lie

Posted in arya stark, fan art, game of thrones, illustration

Anatomy of the Chocobo (Wark!)

Posted on February 19, 2013 by kazpalladino — 1 Comment

Somehow the Chocobo got finished (despite my brain’s nettling about the five other Photoshop files I was concurrently working on). Let’s see if I can drag another one out soon. ❤

Posted in anatomy, chocobo, final fantasy, not writers block

Love and the apocalypse

Posted on February 14, 2013 by kazpalladino — 1 Comment

Friends, lovers and pets alike- Happy Valentine’s Day! On a day I’m normally indifferent, I now realize how much fun can be had in making wry, nerdy, evasive and dark humored love cards. Mush is uncomfortable unless buried in awkward sentiments such as this, don’t you think?

Today was a big day for new listings. For those friends who maybe are feeling a little glum (as many do on a day such as this) here is a new card to help pick them up!

Or maybe you are separated from someone you really want to be with? No better way to pull some far away hearts than with adorable, puppy-eyed sheep!

Pop the question maybe? Nerds getting married? Of course you need some help along the way! Lord of the rings Wedding Party invites

Whether we want it or not, we just cant ignore love (…at least not today. It’s kind of a thing)

<3!

Posted in cards, feel better, lord of the rings, love at the end of the world, miss you, nerdy love, valentines day

They don’t love you like I love you

Posted on February 12, 2013 by kazpalladino — 2 Comments

Maps! How I love them. Truthfully, I have never attempted map drawings before this month, but they are strangely satisfying for my compulsive side. They will, however, give me early arthritis.

In all honesty, I wanted this book to come with a special fold out map of Hyrule so I could hang it up in my room like 12 year old me who stole pictures of sexy adult Link from my brother’s Nintendo Power magazine. Since that wasn’t going to happen, I decided to make the map myself (which is where the map obsession began).

March cannot come soon enough. For such long books, the tv series is too damn short. I’ll keep up the geeky fan art until then, I suppose.

And this is more of a chart but it is close enough. Sandworms are just so happy!

The nostalgia will continue!

Posted in beetlejuice, dune, game of thrones, hyrule, legend of zelda, maps, sandworms, sarlacc, tremors, video game map, westeros

Behold the Mermaid

Posted on January 31, 2013 by kazpalladino — 1 Comment

Growing up, I never really thought I wanted to be an artist (ok, professionally- lets not get into the semantics of being an “artist”). First of all, I am right handed and I didn’t think that should be allowed in the first place. Art was just something I sort of did to put off real life for a while. But as time went on, I never really kicked the habit. For me, I think it was mostly about fantasy and daydreams – which I don’t anyone can live without, really (hence religion and video games). So here I am, putting off real life – or maybe trying to make this into real life.
Whatever that is…

“I don’t understand. All my life I’ve been waiting for someone and when I find her, she’s… she’s a fish.”

Posted in anatomy of the mermaid, beastiary, mermaid

New Year Revolutions

Posted on January 2, 2013 by kazpalladino — 1 Comment

Happy New Year, friends! I have a good feeling about 2013.

Here are some things I was working on in December! I couldn’t post these earlier because they were Christmas presents…

…I would like to pretend that is a good enough excuse for not posting all of December, but it isn’t. I’m a slacker.

Resolution 1: don’t be a slacker.

And now, to ring in the new year, I’ll leave you with some really basic advice that I have learned the hard way

1. Swans are jerks.
2. Never put regular soap in your dishwasher
3. Never forget the e-brake when changing a tire
4. Never use water instead of milk your cereal (seriously).
5. You never look as cool as you think
6. You never look as dumb as you feel

Posted in advice, apocalypse, jon snow, new years, zombies