Cover to Cover

Coming up with just the right cover concept can be a bit tricky!

Here's one of the many versions . :)

A tad "Willy Wonka", a touch "Indiana Jones" and a pinch of "Winnie the Pooh."...

step away from it, it belongs to the ages!

-c.g.young

waterfall sketch

Mid-day sketching with color and value. lunch study

-enjoy

c.g.young

The crowning of all things wild

-c.g.young

Early Sketches

Some expressions. :)

-c.g.young

Toast finds his home.

My little pig has found a home with Feiwel & Friends.

Finally, Toast will become the book I wanted it to be, and

I am happy.

Thank You everyone. :)

-c.g.young

Toast Trailer

Hello everyone,

Here's the teaser trailer for "Toast" just a fun way for me to get

the word out about the book and introduce everyone to the idea

behind the story. :)

-enjoy

c.g.young

Toast

A little bit of Struzan inspiration, as I've always been a fan.

-c.g.young

Then into adventure

-c.g.young

How I work

I was recently asked how I work, what is my
workflow? I've always been a fan of artists who
want to share their process with other artisans. I
find it a very useful exercise to try different methods
and be to open to the idea that as an artist we are only
as good as the last inspiration or artisan we have
studied.

That being said, I've put together a breakdown on exactly
how a piece evolves from the sketch phase through
to final rendered art. As the render progresses you'll
notice more and more textural information being introduced
into the piece. I've found for those who strive to achieve the
"painted" or "traditional" look to digital artwork it becomes
a necessity to try and proximate the look & feel of a real brush.

I've done my best, although not perfectly, to
accomplish this. With a dark paint -watercolor, oil
or gouache - I produce several brush strokes on
canvas or board. I then scan and clean them in
photoshop - turning them into brushes that CS can use.

Although nothing can take the place of
using real paint; the scanned brush strokes, when
used correctly and combined with blend methods
and massaging can produce a painted on canvas look.

After you have finished with the "digital" colors and
details, you can always have your piece printed on a
stock with a bit of tooth, and use paint, colored pencil, ink...ect to
enhance the art and give it that extra little something.
A bit pricey, but well worth it.


-enjoy
c.g.young

Captain Cutthroat Blimey

“Adventuring says you?” he chuckled.
“Never heard any yarn about swashbuckling swine before.”

“I’d love to be a Pirate!” Toast boastfully exclaimed.
“To cross swords - sail the ocean.”

“Would you now?” he replied “Lonely is the sea, not too many
friends to be had on those waters.”

-c.g.young

When Hook Arrived

I've always envisioned Hook arriving at Neverland riding stormy seas to the shore.

enjoy.

-c.g.young

Update: I wanted to tighten this image up after I had posted it.

I spent around two hours noodling with the details, I suppose

it is true that "A piece of art is never finished..."

fishing the golden isle

A little paint, pixels and color fun....enjoy -c.g.young

The Edge of Far

Hello everyone...I've been working very hard to expand the world

of "Toast" creating an entire world for him to explore is both

wonderfully fulfilling, and exceptionally challenging. I'm having such

fun writing about this fantastic place, where children's dreams and

imaginary friends come to life.

A little bit of paint, color pencil & pixels.

-enjoy

c.g.young

Across the way

Night-time speedy. Digital over traditional; gouache and pixels.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

-c.g.young

plein air painting

It's so much fun to get back into plein air painting.
Mixing colors, and feeling the canvas under brush.

gouache & watercolor.

-c.g.young

now for something diffrent

Sorry for the lack of posts, I have been doing a little
re-work on the book, and have been super busy.
I'll have more to show soon :)

My good friend Paul Adam gave me this
sketch for my birthday. Definately check out
his work as it's very inspiring.

Many thanks for all comments, especially on "Toast"
I'm having great fun.

-enjoy
c.g.young

The Sculpt

-c.g.young

looking for wishes

lunchtime toast sketching.
-c.g.young

Color Sketching

color sketching, a few minutes apiece, having fun with these little studies.

Thanks everyone for the visits lately, I'll hopefully have some Toast news soon.

enjoy

-c.g.young

The Cove Falls

Hey everyone,...

Sorry it's been awhile between updates,

I'm working on a little re-write of "Toast"

and have been on a short vacation.

Hopefully I will have the new site up soon,

and will be sharing some new big things.

Here's a little homage to Paul Lasaine...his

art is really inspiring...so check it out!

http://paullasaine.blogspot.com/

-c.g.young

The Rain on the Plains

Late night doodle.

-c.g.young

the cove final

The finished piece from the previous post sketch.

cheers
-c.g.young

the cove sketch

Here's something different...It's been awhile since I've done any art

without my pig being the focus.

Quick sketch while watching some late night tv. I spent a bit

longer than normal on this piece, about an hour. I was having

fun just playing with forms, values and light.

I might just have to take this one to final.

cheers all

-c.g.young

The wonderous world of Toast

Hello everyone,

I've been working on a redesign of my official website. www.cgyoung.com

Toast will soon have a new home, where you can explore new art,

find out what the little pig has been up to, meet a few of his friends

and even hear from him yourself.

The Wonderous World awaits, so keep wishing...

-c.g.young

Mountain Swine

Hello Everyone,

Just a little Lunchtime study.

Feeling like I want to be outside in the sunshine today!

-c.g.young

Dreaming at Sunrise

It was on a chilly morning, and just into a fantastic feast
of bread, jam and cheese that Toast had a thought.

“What if I were to make a wish?" He pondered, "Can a wish make wishes?"

-c.g.young

Toast & Me

The writing is finished, the illustrations
are coming together, and I am happy. Now I just need to find this
book a home. My fingers are crossed.

That'll do pig.....that'll do.

Thank You D&L,
-c.g.young

Fall

It's funny, when I was painting this I was listening to "Clocks"

and now everytime I look at this piece that's all I hear.

-c.g.young

Pancakes with Troll Slobbers

Toast decided to have himself a plentiful helping of

pumpkin pancakes with an abundance of apple maple syrup

and a dollop of heavy cream, he affectionately called "Troll Slobbers."

Still on the hunt for a publisher for Toast. Perhaps April will be the month!

My portfolio will be on display at the
SCBWI TEXAS SPRING CONFERENCE.

I have my fingers crossed.

enjoy
-c.g.young

The Aristocrat

-c.g.young

Toast on the Coast

Painting again...

I've done more illustrations in the last few months
than I care to admit. It's funny how, as an artist, you're never really happy with a finished piece.
That feeling of perfection or the idea of trying to be perfect with each illustration (especially for a children's picture book) can be exhausting.

I've begun to wonder if this is a shared sentiment among illustrators in the feild.

I've promised myself to wrap up the illustrations for "Toast" this summer. I'm over the halfway hump, and ready for the downhill. I can now see the finish.

Here's Toast wishing he could fly.
-c.g.young

Making Toast

Many thanks to the super creative Mark How!

Wow,.....really cool to see your creation coming to life.

More to come.

Thanks Mark!

-c.g.young

It was a fine cold

Hi everyone,
I was up Late tonight, doing a bit of sketching....Here's a quick

sketch of my pig. I wish everyone warm & well.

-cgy

The Cover

Getting closer. :) Thanks for all the kind words.

-c.g.young

Wishing

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the lack of posts,...I have been busy writing and re-writing.

This is the year the book gets done, and I'm working hard to get it

all wrapped up by April. With any luck, I'll find a publisher willing to

take a chance on this little pig and his big story. :)

Thank you for all your feedback.

Here's a sketch -enjoy

-cgy

The Metal and the Muse

First sketch of 2008!

Happy New Year Everyone.

-cgy

Home in Texas

Happy Holidays everyone!

-cgy

the Princess

Having some fun with character studies.

-cgy

The old white house

-cgy

The Toymaker's Home

I have always wanted to do a Christmas story.

lunch scribbling.

-cgy

Pig in the City

Sunday was Market Day, and that was the day Toast
looked forward to most.

Baguettes and butter, cheese and grape jelly,
Toast loved them all especially down in his belly.

-cgy

Come Sail Away....

Lunch Scribbling.
-cgy

The House of Toast

-cgy

The Beginning

I would begin this story with once upon
a time, or long, long ago; but neither really
apply as wishes are still wished and dreams
are still dreamt.

Toast...
Toast was a pig. A pig who loved to explore.
He was given this name by a girl named Lily, who
understood that all mother pigs named their young
after their favorite things to eat.

Applesauce, his mother, was named by her mother
Truffle, and her mother Dixie Cup in turn, and so on and so forth.

Toast, Lily thought, was the perfect wish, and could not
wait to share his stories.


-cgy

Toast at Sunset

Toast at Sunset

enjoy -cgy

Landscape Lunch Study

Lunch time study.

-cgy

Rock Falls

just a quick sketch, trying out some new brushes -cgy

The long March

-cgy

The Gathering of Winter

Andrew Wyeth inspired.

trying to emulate his hard line brush and knife

strokes.

-cgy

Battle of the Bulge

Watching the history channel.
-cgy

Halloween

Trick or Treat.
-cgy

The Forest through the Trees

Trying out some custom brushes.
-cgy

home from the fair

and Toast had fun.

-cgy

Toast & Apples

It was early one morning when Toast decided to goto
the orchard and pick apples for Lily.
-cgy

Cold in the office

Hands are frigid today... -cgy

Hot Sketch Night

Thanks to Paul and the rest of the night crew for
inviting me into your club....hot coffee and good art.

-cgy

Lunch Scribble

Skull Rock
-cgy

late night

up late, news and wacom.

-cgy

Ode to Wyeth

for Dennis

-cgy

Still Waters at Dawn

-cgy

The Ruins

I've always been a fan of Ralph Mcquarrie. I remember

owning my first copy of "The Art of Star Wars" as a kid.

I studied that book until the pages were worn and the

binding gave out. His work is, in my opinion the best

sci-fi art ever produced and is the reason I became

an artist.

Thank You Mr. McQuarrie, for your
inspiration.

-cgy

Plain Delight

Lunch study.
A tip of the hat to John Harris,
whose art is a constant inspiration.
-cgy

Rescue

Lunch time sketching.
-cgy

Color Study

A few quick color roughs for practice...

-cgy

The Lighthouse

-cgy

The Big Silent

up late,... painting at home while watching the news.

-cgy

Over the Hills and Far Away...

Lunch Scribble.
-cgy

Th Led Zepplins

While listening to Led Zepplin.
-cgy

Lunch Time Scribble

The little island that could....
-cgy

The Student Becomes The Teacher.

While working at Lucas, I was tasked with doing VFX for most
of the cinematics. Needless to say, and for those who don't
know, rotoscoping is a tedious process by which an artist traces
over film elements, or in this case digital elements to produce
a specific visual effect. With the advent of computers as an
effects tool, this has become easier and easier.

While working on a particular effect, namely Lightsabers,
I found myself growing tired of the method I was using.
So I swallowed my pride, fired up Explorer and did an
internet search for possible tutorials on a quicker, easier
solution. That’s when I came across a little video
entitled “RVD or Ryan vs Dorkman”, a Star Wars
fan-film. Here was a kid who was doing movie quality
effects work with little or no budget.

After a few more searches, and multiple viewings of the video
I came to the realization that this kid was doing it better
than anyone I had seen at the studio, and in all probability
at a fraction of the cost. I found his home phone and called
with every expectation that I would find him already
working at some visual effects house in Hollywood.
I was surprised when the lady on the other end of the
line said “He’s working at Blockbuster tonight.”
Now you might surmise that I would have put two and two
together, but what I was thinking was
“Who runs an effects studio named Blockbuster?”

I called video store that evening and Ryan answered.
After jokingly asking if they carried "Navy Seals" I
introduced myself and we had a short talk about effects
work and the industry. Several days later, over Lunch
at Skywalker Ranch I offered him a position.

Ryan worked with me at Lucas for nearly a year
before I left for Texas. I remember some of the
looks I got when I told the other artists and project
leads that he was coming aboard as an effects artist.
“ How old is he?” is the question I was asked most
frequently, followed by “Clint are you crazy,…he’s too young!”

“Just you wait.” I would always reply.

Almost Five years later and, Ryan, who now
works for “ Stargate Digital” has won an Emmy for his
visual effects work for “Nightmares and Dreamscapes.”
A made for TV adaptation of Stephen King stories.
He has also done VFX work for “Heros” and “Desperate Housewives”



Needless to say, I am proud.
Congratulations Ryan, you deserve it.
-cgy













A few links:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/05/30/BUG4O6SDNB1.DTL&hw=Lucasarts&sn=001&sc=1000

http://www.ryanvsdorkman.com/

http://www.stargatefilms.com/

The Map

We're rascals, scoundrels, villans, and knaves,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

I have begun the illustrations for my children's book.

-cgy

Geometry & Art 2.0

Another paint over.

Polygonally this one was much cheaper.
-cgy

Geometry & Art

I was never a math student...I could never get it right.
Equations, fractions, even long division was a beast to me.
Math was my school cross,and I was nailed to it. Badly.

That was until Geometry....That I could see...I could
almost visualize the spacial concepts behind it all, and suddenly
the left side of my brain said "Oh, I get it."

Oh joy there was a math for me, and it was geometry.
Well here we are many years later and i've finally found
a way to use some math in my art. Post render pre-visualization,
or painting over your 3d rendered models.

It's a method matte painters have been using
for some time now, I've just been using it lately as a conceptual tool.
Here's a few examples from Blacksite A51.
-cgy

daytime doodling

Just a little weekend doodle after lawn work. -cgy

Lunchtime Scribble

-cgy

In the Grey

Day & Night

skybox concepts.
-c.g.young

The Magician

After seeing "Order of the Pheonix" last night, and yes i am a

Harry Potter fan, I thought it only appropriate to post this piece.

Now comes the wait for "The Deathly Hallows".

enjoy-cgy

The Witch of Undoing.

Wickedly beautiful, with the blackest heart. She smiled,
when she turned me to stone.
-cgy

Rise Lord Vader.

I personally can't wait for Star Wars: Force Unleashed to hit
the shelves. That being said I dug up this old piece of art I scribbled
while working at LEC. I can recall one of the questions I was asked
when I was interviewing at LucasArts..."Favorite Star Wars Character?"

"Darth Vader."
-cgy

Here There Be Monsters

Yo Ho, Yo Ho,.....a pirate's life for me.

-cgy

Barley Hawthorne

When he spoke to me, his growling voice tickled my insides.
He strapped on his goggles and returned to the skies.
-cgy

The Isles of Neither Nor,....
Neither here nor there, but perfectly in between.
-cgy

The Beginings of my Blogspot.
Here's "The Morning Cup."
enjoy-cgy