Website Update

     So it took nearly forever, but I FINALLY updated my website!  It's not perfect, but it does precisely what I need it to: display my images and have the ability to be updated on the fly.  Hopefully, I'll be able to work with someone to give it the tweaks and adjustments I'd like it to have, but in the meantime it's showing current work and that's exciting!  Special thanks to Dan Dos Santos and the guys at Muddy Colors for posting some great tutorials and information!

Please stop by and visit my new website if you haven't already, and if you've been there before, stop by again!  Follow the link in the sidebar or just click HERE.
EDIT: updated website address.

Rowan tree sketch

     WOW, it has been an incredibly l-o-n-g time, since I've been able to get on here and post something.  I recently had someone remind me of this fact and here we are. 
     A recent sketch I completed for someone that actually served as the "inspiration" of a tattoo they had done.  We really wanted to capture the feeling of this old, twisted tree and this small family of owls that had decided to perch there.  This was the result, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Rowan Tree with Barn Owls. c Tom McAndrew Jr. 2012

Bashaw Elementary Special Edition T-shirts

     These were my submissions for the 2011 special edition Bashaw Elementary school t-shirts.  Each year designs are submitted and the kids vote on their favorite.  I don't believe any of mine were chosen this year, but I know that the black chalkboard design was picked as the first 'Teacher's Edition' shirt design.  Let me know what you're favorite was in the comment section!
[See previous Bashaw Logo T-shirt design here]

Bursting with Bobcat Pride

Chalkboard

Manuscript Writing

More Screencapture Sketching

Here are some additional sketches using screen captures. 

The Name of the Rose, ballpoint pen, ink, and marker.

Girl with a Pearl Earring, ballpoint pen.

Girl with a Pearl Earring, graphite.

Erik Tiemens

     Just added some new links for one of my favorite painters, Erik Tiemens.  If you've never heard of him before, you're really missing out on some amazing work.  I first learned of Erik around 2002/2003 when he was a concept designer on Star Wars Episode II (see below).  Since then, I've tried to follow his career and I must say I've been a fan ever since. 
     As you can see, I've dabbled in gouache and I love to use it to sketch with.  Erik has really helped to fuel my interest in continuing to use both gouache and watercolor.  He is able to acheive some remarkable effects combining gouache with various other media, including pens, pastels, ink, & watercolor.  His paintings always seem to have a real sense of history and time, and can look amazingly like oil.  They also evoke a real sense of romantisicm that really sets Erik apart from other painters.
     Erik also teaches workshops about his techniques and methods, his latest one was hosted at the Mendocino Art Center in Mendocino, California (I'd love to be able to attend one).  Please check out both his website at WaterSketch and his blog, Virtual Gouache Land.  You'll be glad you did.

-Tom

I'll leave you with these, enjoy!

Kamino by Erik Tiemens

Gouache & Watercolor Sketch by Erik Tiemens

Screen Capture Sketches

     These are a few of the sketches I did while viewing screen captures from various movies.  A very nice way to get some figure drawing in if there's no model available; this was taught to me by George Pratt at the Illustration Academy.

Forlorn - graphite

Repose - ink

Horse & Rider - ink

Out of the Shadows - graphite

New Gallery!

     Welcome back!  While you're here you can see some of my oil paintings on my new Gallery page!  Just click the "Oil Paintings" link under "Pages" to check it out; this is where I'll be posting samples of my finished work.  I'll be adding a few additional galleries as I get images sorted into new and better folders.
-Tom