Professional Portfolio: www.ashdotson.com

Friday, October 3, 2014

Environment Thumbs

Phew, haven't gotten to paint in a while!! I enjoyed doing these a lot, and on top of that I've improved SO much in the last few months comparing them to old thumb batches, so that's awesome! Very happy with these and can't wait to do more, and see which one turns into a painting! :)


Sunday, September 14, 2014

Self Portrait sketch

Loose self portrait, trying to practice brushwork and shape definition. Done from a mirror.


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Beach sketch

Practice, inspired by a 5am trip to the beach a few days ago. Some wild horses ran right by us, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 


Friday, August 15, 2014

Concepts & things

Been working really hard on my concept and design skills. Developing assets, styles and functionalities for specifics from my painting, "Mecca" (bottom). Has been a really challenging project but I have learned a hell of a lot, not the least of which that I enjoy this type of thing and never thought I did before. Learning all the time. :)








Also, been doing stuff to submit to Wizards of the Coast for their art test. Another huge design (and painting!) challenge! One of the tests was to do a concept for an Orc Cook--if nothing else, a monumental learning experience.



This summer has been awesomely productive. I don't really want to go back to school--will be a distraction ;)

More updates comin'.

Keep walking or you'll never see the end.

-Ashley



Monday, July 14, 2014

Really just a sketch to try a few things, mostly depth and perspective practice. Nothing fancy

You can still see the grids I used because I was a dummy and merged the layers. :D


Monday, July 7, 2014

VIDEO TUTORIAL: Digital Painting: Process and Techniques to Help Improve Your Artwork


Are you looking for ways to improve your art and workflow? Pick up some techniques and tricks? Learn a few fundamentals? Just want to hear me rant about painting for an hour? Watch the video on how I did this painting!




Here's part 1! Be sure to watch part 2, 3 and 4 and comment to let me know about YOUR plans to pursue your artistic dream.


Saturday, July 5, 2014

Quick life sketch/color study done from the view from my window on a very clear summer evening. Always learning...

+/-20 mins


Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Ellicott

Can you tell I've been paying attention to Pascal Campion? ;)

Decided to take some advice from him and just try to paint a beautiful experience, and not care about how it looks for once. Very freeing :) Imitating his style here was very interesting and I learned a lot about his thought process just from a quick sketch. 

This is reminiscent of a trip to Ellicott City I had a few weeks ago. 30 mins


Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Relaxin

Another sketch for today. Just trying to loosen up and relax a bit. Daydreaming about where I want to be today--I don't need much, good beer and a good view would be good livin.



Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Don't be falling in love as she's walking away

15-minute painting based on a view from the drive home tonight :) Frederick, MD. Pulled over to stare, haha.


Friday, May 30, 2014

Sketches and update

Little update for ya. School year's finally over! Now of course, more time to dedicate to art. yey

Got a jump start this morning with some sketches, trying a new method--really trying to push my contrast, lighting and form--and I really enjoyed it. Super fun and I'll continue doing this as preliminary for concepts I think.



Meanwhile, reading Andrew Loomis's book Creative Illustration, and it's really blowing my mind. All artists should read it.

Seriously. Go now.

<3 :)

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Stone guardian - zbrush sculpt

This was super fun. :) learned to polypaint too! Getting better pretty quickly at this...


Sunday, April 13, 2014

Saturday, March 29, 2014

homewoooorkz

Really challenged myself with this, keeping all high-key reds. 



And a low key red thumbnail. Far from finished, worked more on the high key so far.



Friday, March 21, 2014

Time of day/weather studies

Sunset, night, clear mid-day, morning fog. Learned tons! So much reference!! haha


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Skull Mask Zbrush sculpt

A skull mask I made in Zbrush, I've included the concept, two unaltered renders and a final good render. :) Enjoy!







Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Happy Mask Salesman sketch

I love Majora's Mask...so much >.< Sketch, mostly to work on my geometrical approach to facial anatomy. He certainly has a challenging expression...