M. Williams Sketchbook

**M.Williams** · January 12th, 2010, 09:47 PM

Hello, everyone at Concept Art.

Years ago as an art student I wished to pursue a career in illustration but for various reasons put my artwork "on the back burner" so to speak, while I worked a dead end job for over a dozen years. I was never satisfied with that decision, and was always thinking of artwork I'd like to be doing but never had the time for due to the demands of my work schedule. All the while, my drawing abilities rusted away with the lack of use.

Having saved money over the years, I decided enough was enough, and I would get back into drawing and painting come hell or high water. Knocking the rust off was quite a challenge---I had not picked up a pencil or brush to do any serious work in at least six or seven years.

Starting over with artwork in your late-30's is a daunting task in and of itself. At 38, I feel like a geezer with the young folks around here. Also a dinosaur---I draw and paint traditionally, and feel like a relic with my pencils and paintbrushes while everyone else talks about Photoshop and other programs. Not that there's anything wrong with using the computer!

I am determined that 2010 will be about making my first portfolio since schooldays sixteen years ago. A bit intimidating to do it publicly on line with so much good work around here, so wish me luck!

I have always enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy and finding ideas for images from the texts, so these first few sketches for my first paintings are based on two classics, Frank Herbert's Dune and Larry Niven's Ringworld. Hopefully that's all right.

Enough typing!

**M.Williams** · January 12th, 2010, 09:54 PM

Ringworld sketches...

**Chelli** · January 12th, 2010, 09:55 PM

Love the sag in the old woman's/witch's face

**M.Williams** · January 12th, 2010, 10:08 PM

Thank you, Chelli.

Two more I had to reduce first.

**ayelid** · January 12th, 2010, 10:14 PM

Great sketches. I like the expressiveness you captured in the faces.

**Icedearth15876** · January 12th, 2010, 11:07 PM

Very good, the detail in each of the people are great, you are very good with the human face.

**crimsoneye** · January 13th, 2010, 03:01 AM

I really love the work. I don't see any rust in your talent.In my opinion your at a professional level.

**DiR3Kt** · January 13th, 2010, 05:02 AM

Hi and welcome!

So far your work is nice, really. I especially like your interpretation of Jessica and I look forward for your paintings!

My little adivce: Keep drawing you are good at it, keep posting it will make you even better!!

**M.Williams** · January 14th, 2010, 05:39 PM

ayelid: Thank you!
Icedearth: Thank you!
crimsoneye: Thank you, I appreciate that. I have a few sketchbooks from when I started drawing again that I won't be posting---They are chock full of rust!
Dir3kt: Thank you, as a Dune fan I hope you enjoy the illustrations when I'm done with them.

Now an older sketch of Jessica and the Reverend Mother---the faces are obsolete, but it gives an idea of the final piece. Just imagine the two portraits of the women in the posts above in place of what's here. If I had Mad Photoshop Skills I'd try to replace the heads, but...there's a reason I cling to my pencils and brushes.

**M.Williams** · January 15th, 2010, 11:03 AM

Sketch Above painted over with Acrylics.

**M.Williams** · January 24th, 2010, 11:38 PM

More sketches for the Dune piece---prudence door projectors and the Reverend Mother's arm with a staff(not mentioned in the novel but I felt like adding it).

**M.Williams** · January 24th, 2010, 11:40 PM

A sketch of Speaker-to-Animals from Ringworld.

**M.Williams** · January 26th, 2010, 10:25 PM

A study of drapery on Jessica's gown.

**Icedearth15876** · January 26th, 2010, 11:34 PM

Very cool new stuff, i like the sketch with the old lady and the girl. Keep em comin

**M.Williams** · January 28th, 2010, 08:13 AM

Thank you, Icedearth.

Here is a drapery study for the Reverend Mother from Dune.

**M.Williams** · July 9th, 2010, 08:14 PM

Been a while. A bit of a revision after looking at photos of vultures for inspiration.

**Amarok** · July 10th, 2010, 12:32 AM

Would love to see some finished works or things in a more complete state, too!

**M.Williams** · September 7th, 2010, 08:40 PM

I'll get it the way I want it eventually! Boy am I ever slow....

**M.Williams** · September 13th, 2010, 07:21 PM

Update

**M.Williams** · October 7th, 2010, 02:52 PM

Recent sketch, pretty much the final form for this character, I hope.

**M.Williams** · December 6th, 2010, 08:41 PM

Mugshots

**M.Williams** · December 6th, 2010, 08:45 PM

A little side sketchbook project, Animal Saturdays. Starting with bears.

**magicpudding** · December 7th, 2010, 01:44 AM

I perceive a super dooper feeling of solidity in all your sketches and you have a delicate touch too. Bravo! I can see the patience and diligence you've got in completing these fine sketchbook so far. I especially like the facial expressions of your characters, something I need to practice. I've learnt a lot about my own shortcomings from your presentation thus far. Thanx, and keep posting!!

Magik

**M.Williams** · December 7th, 2010, 07:47 PM

Thank you, magicpudding, for your compliments!

**J@n!t** · December 7th, 2010, 08:12 PM

Nice work, there! Good to see another who is getting back into art. You didn't say if you would be pursuing it as a career now or what... so what is it?

**M.Williams** · December 8th, 2010, 10:20 AM

J@n!t, thank you, and yes, my hope is to pursue a career. Good luck with your return to art as well.

**TacoMeat** · December 8th, 2010, 11:39 AM

I was reading your first post and suppressed to see that your story is similar to mine. Despite the age difference (I'm 22), I put my drawing aside while I went to college and I didn't use digital mediums until recently. I do feel That I'm not as good as I should be when I continuously see teenagers showing me up. But Don't get discouraged M. Keep it going. You'll get there if you want it.

**Istmin52** · December 8th, 2010, 11:55 AM

I would have to agree with crimsoneye. I feel like these sketches really are at a professional level. Your story is very touching and inspiring. I really like your line work. It would be nice to see a more completed illustration from you. My favorite post is #21 so far.

**equilerex** · December 8th, 2010, 12:43 PM

dune is one hell of a book to get inspiration from!
you have a solid style accompanied with good shading, its quite fun to watch. the "door mechanism" is my favourite since im more of a sci-fi nut but all the recent stuff is well made!

good luck with your studies, hope that 2010 has been good to you!

**M.Williams** · December 10th, 2010, 07:08 AM

Sorry I took so long to respond, everyone.

@TacoMeat: Thank you, I frequently feel the same way hearing stories of professional illustrators who started in their teens. One of my professors said years ago: "Draw, draw, draw--Draw everyday." And he was right, it's hell getting your skills back after a hiatus of many years---just when you've got one area back on track you're constantly finding a new "broken-down part" in your abilities that needs replacing...to say nothing of the fact that constant improvement is also a necessity. Thank you for the encouragement and good luck with your own return to artwork!

@Istmin52: Thank you, it took so long to get that character the way I wanted it. Completed illustrations are coming!

@equilerex: Thank you, I've had several images from Dune floating around in my head for years. 2010 has had its' ups and downs like all years but if I'm still here at the end of it, I guess it wasn't all bad! Good look to you and everyone else in 2011!