alexries

Upcoming Content

I will be uploading the first intro chapter storyboard of the birrin book for my Patreons tomorrow... for now accept this tiny baby having a bath!

Storyboard Samples

A couple of Two Sky River storyboard chunks: I will release a few storyboard chapters in full to my faithful Patreons soon!

The text is called Lorem Ipsum, essentially a random wor...

Serrum

From the archives: the process I went through in depicting the Serrum; a race of sapient starships, in this case heading out of a planetary atmosphere. 

This was in the old forum days: I...

Quadrilaterian Flyer

Now well out of date design wise (and the feet are far too birdy); an older concept for a four winged pterosaur-like being from the birrin 'verse.

Dawn of Birrin

Believe it or not... this might be the first ever illustration of the species that would, once I become an adult, evolve into the birrin you know.

The 'wings'; were for heat regulation, while...

Birrin Origins

Here are some of the first times in my art that the birrin mouth appeared. Initially it was for very different species.

Most were done as I was getting the hang of photoshop, as I ...

Creature Design Course - Unit 6 of 8

"Design Review – “Killing your Babies”

With your design established and much of the rendering complete you will now cast a critical eye on any aspects of your design you feel can be enh...

Birrin Egg Ideas

Working out how birrin embryos develop. The top 'lid' is a protein packet attendant females add to the egg to feed it, and it has to be replaced from time to time.

In one idea the ...

Chapter 1 - Storyboard WIP

I am now beginning to lay out the book in storyboard form for the pitch. For chapters with no finished art, I expect it to look something like this.

In the prologue here, Mother finds the two...

Creature Design Course - Unit 5 of 8

"Feathers, Fur and Skin – Rendering Integument and Creating Custom Brushes

Using your references, and gathering even more if necessary, you will be shown how to render in detail the often c...

Book Update

I have completed first draft of the synopsis for the entire story of book one. It came in at over 7000 words, and is now going to be torn apart by my editor and a few select readers.

Things a...

Patreon AMA

Welcome to lots of new patrons: you jumping on board helps a LOT and I value you joining up!

As currently most work is in progress, I thought I would do a general AMA. Ask what you like and I...

Book Jack Commission - Exofighter

A job I took a few years back to design a fighter capable of low orbit and atmospheric operations. I applied a dual propulsion system of liquid fueled rockets and conventional turbines, with RCS po...

The Incredible World of the Birrin | Part II

Curious Archive has added the second part of his video series on my critters. Still remarkable to see ones art through another lens. The video seems to have triggered a feedback loop in my social m...

Incredible World of the Birrin Part 1

It seems Curious Archive has put together the first of a video series on my critters! I have yet to watch it and am interested to see what they say. Though I appreciate the buzz :P

Creature Design Course - Unit 4 of 8

Masking and Applying Shadows

With the clean line art complete, this week will see the first stages of true digital painting. You will learn how to use the line art as a guide to first mask in...

From the Archives - Imaginary Ornithology

An interesting commission I took in the past, while recovering from some rather persistent mental health issues.  Audio artist Peter Mcilwain produced a series of invented birdcalls and invite...

Creature Design Course - Unit 3 of 8

Welcome to Unit 3! The zip containing the lessons for this section are attached to this post. As usual any questions drop them below.

Wavecutter

Commission Complete!

"A trimaran flies along the drowned coast of Tuktalli, kicking up spray with its four foils. Its biplane rig, with its close-set masts, is a fancy of a particular  M...

Trifoil - Final Candidate

Here is the image I have presented to the client of the birrin biplane- rigged racing foil following the flooded coast. Here is hoping they like it!

Trifoil - Home Stretch

Got the major elements in place now. Next is to add a birrin crew, some flying Skydancers and perhaps some dolphin like beings leaping nearby. Then complete and unify the lighting and details.

Trifoil - The Madness Continues

Starting to play around with rigging and possible colors: I can see several errors in the perspective of the boat and sails that need to be address. I will add a small birrin crew, details etc to t...

Trifoil WIP - Composition Tests

Which grabs ya'll, in principle?

Trifoil WIP - Update

So I decided I would make life more interesting and start adding an entire birrin fortress-harbor... I want to show it with flags flying and populated.

Trifoil Commission - WIP

Another job: this one of a birrin yacht sailing by a coastal mill. 

The sky and 'mill' are still simple photo-montages to get the environmental lighting set up, and are to be replaced. L...

Day Jobbin'

Commissions in progress for y'all to get your eyeballs on. Catmonsters.

Creature Design Course - Unit 2 of 8

Welcome to Unit 2!

This marks the first session in which I will be using references directly to inform the design.

Any questions you have drop them below!

Backupdrop Dropbox Link:...

Children of Time - Complete HQ

Its done! Spoilers for the book Children of Time (which I highly recommend)

This image is set after the two species integrate: the human is wearing a translator device in her ear w...

Sketchpile of Giants

That pencil image was the first time I ever depicted what would become the Giants, who inhabitat Chriirah alongside the Birrin. The half finished paintings were the first ultimately aborted attempt...

Children of Time - Near Done

Not far now. Still fighting the human eyes a little, and the hair needs a lighting pass.