The MagnificentSleven

Airport Sketches...

2011-11-30T20:25:00.000-08:00

Just a couple quick sketches I did while waiting in airports during Thanksgiving. The point of observational drawing isn't to make beautiful finished Art work, but instead to watch the way people are moving or acting. This can be really helpful when Animating, or Boarding scenes.
I've written a bit more about it on my "Art of Beth Sleven" facebook page. Head on over there and check it out. : )

The Pet Project!

2011-11-16T10:26:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce the arrival of my new book, "The Pet Project"!

This book is a limited edition, so come get 'em while you can! : )

"The Pet Project" asks the age old question, why settle for a puppy when your dad's a mad scientist?

Come find out as the book makes it's world premiere at CTN this weekend!

Halloween Goblins!

2011-10-31T17:07:00.000-07:00

Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!!!

Grapes

2011-07-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

This is a detail of a larger piece I did for a book with a group of other artists.

"Breaking Free"

2011-07-11T12:31:00.001-07:00

I did this piece for a group show, and thought I'd share it here with you fine people. : )
If you'd like a print of the largest section of this piece, become a fan of the "Cryptid Case Files" on facebook.
I'm going to be running a contest on facebook soon, and the winner will receive a free 11in. x 17in. print of this section of the piece.

Click either image for a larger view.

Half Marathon!

2011-06-28T16:39:00.001-07:00

I'm doing a half marathon!

This isn't art, related but I wanted to put it out there anyway.
Cancer is a horrible disease, one that far to many of my family and friends have had to battle.

I want to help punch cancer in it's stupid face! So I'll be running a half Marathon this fourth of July, and I've set up a page to help raise money for the American Cancer Society,

This is the first half marathon I've done. I'm a bit nervous, but wanted to help raise money to fight cancer while doing it.
: )

If your interested in donating click HERE

Happy fourth of July everyone!

UPDATE:

The half Marathon went well! The last few miles were the hardest, but I have to admit I had fun.
I want to thank everyone who was so supportive and donated to the American Cancer Society. I really apperciate it. : )

The Passover Rabbit

2011-04-21T13:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Pesach everyone! : )

The Passover rabbit it hard at work painting matzo balls for all the good little Jewish girls and boys. : )

Bunny Hugs!

2011-04-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Some days we all just need a hug. :)

St. Paddy's day fun!

2011-03-17T15:45:00.001-07:00

Happy St. Paddy's day everyone! Party safely! : )

Night Lite

2011-02-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!
If you haven't already be sure to become a fan of the "Cryptid Case Files" on facebook. We will be running a contest within the next day or two. The prize is a print of this piece!

The piece will be debuting in a small gallery show at an Animation studio.
: )

Smore's

2011-01-27T15:20:00.000-08:00

Smore's so good they make themselves!

It's pouring outside

2010-12-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't want to jump in puddles when it's like this! : )

2010-11-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to announce the arrival of my new book "Voyage of the Trundles"!

The book follows the adventures of a herd of Trundles as they run, swim and, submarine their way through perilous odds.

The book will debut at CTN this Friday. Stop by, get yourself a copy, and say hello!

: )

CTN 2010!

2010-11-08T13:09:00.001-08:00

Hello ladies and gentlemen! I will have a table at this year's CTN. If any of you are planing on going, you can use the coupon code: SLEVX10 for a discount when purchasing your tickets online.
If you're going to be at the show make sure to stop by and say hello! : )

Us nerds come in all shapes and sizes

2010-11-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Just having some more fun playing with digital sketching. : )

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-29T14:46:00.000-07:00

Have a happy and Safe Halloween everyone!

Borrowed

2010-10-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

If your missing your glasses.....someone might have borrowed them. : )

2010-10-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Playing around with digital sketching. : )

Memory Drawing From The Train

2010-09-10T17:38:00.001-07:00

I recently rode the train and for some reason this gentlemen stuck in my mind. I thought he was so interesting, that I decided to sketch him later that day. : )

Drink up me penguins Yo Ho!

2010-05-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

Something fun done for a friend of mine. : )

You can check out some of his fun work here.

Gamels or Coats?

2010-04-28T12:45:00.001-07:00

Camels + Goats = ?

For some reason I got to wonderin' what you'd get if you crossed a camel and a goat. : )

Introducing...

2010-03-26T00:38:00.000-07:00

...the Passover Rabbit. : )

Passover is nearly here, and for some reason this popped into my head, so I thought I'd share it.

Happy Pesach everybody! : )

The Passover rabbit brings stacks of matzah to all of the good girls and boys. : )

And now for something completely different...

2010-03-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is my first CG Sculpt. I'm very new to it and still learning. : )

First CG Sculpt from Beth S. on Vimeo.

Ways of Waiting...

2010-02-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

I have recently given at couple of talks on the benefits carrying a sketchbook. Especially for animators.

So on a whim I though I'd write a little post about it.

I recently did some holiday traveling. So I decided to put my layover time to good use. I started sketching people who were waiting for their flights.

It became really interesting to note the subtle differences in how people waited.

Some people stood in front of the monitors willing there flights to hurry up. Others plugged away at there laptop keyboards, while others went old school an worked on knitting.

I started to notice that people where doing interesting things with there luggage. Like this guy who had almost turned his into furniture as he waited. Or this grown woman who was sitting cross legged on the floor.

Where else would you find a grown up waiting in public like this?

In doing these sketches I noticed these different little mannerisms and poses. Things I wouldn't have thought about if I'd tried to come up with them out of my head. Without observation.

This guys had closed himself off from the crowds of people while he was waiting. Making his own private little space for himself.

I liked the way this guy on the bottom was sank way into this chair. Almost becoming part of it, The same shape as it. And the girl shifting the weight of her bag as she paced, waiting.

While all the adults found a place and stuck to it. This little girl was spinning around a post at the gate. Then ploping down and using her Mom's magazine as a telescope!

If I had been given a scene in which a little kid, or a group of people was having to wait I don't know that I would have come up with these actions out of my head.

But by observing them, and carrying a sketchbook, we can learn new things, and come up with new little bits of business for our characters to do. Even in the most mundane situations.

Museum Eaxhibit...

2010-01-30T14:52:00.000-08:00

Recently I went to an amazing exhibit of Rembrandt drawings. The Exhibit was truly awe inspiring. I spent hours wondering through it.I think I freaked out some of the guards because I almost had my nose pressed against the frames.

After leaving the exhibit I went to the a near by room that housed sculptures and did some sketching of different ones.

Pot Bellied Pigs and Bunnies...

2010-01-08T20:55:00.001-08:00

Did some quick sketches of animals today. Thought I'd share them with you guys. : )

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-18T02:10:00.001-08:00

Commemorative Sketchbook

2009-12-15T01:42:00.001-08:00

The CTN expo was so much fun! I want to say a big thank you to everyone who came up and introduced themselves to me. It was my absolute pleasure meeting all of you.

I was told after the show that they ran out of the commemorative sketchbooks that everyone was supposed to get with their tickets.

So I thought I'd go ahead and post the image I did for the book.

Happy Hanukkah, and a happy holiday season to everyone!

: )

CTN-X!

2009-11-19T22:43:00.000-08:00

I will have a limited number of prints of each of these characters available at the "Creative Talent Network Expo" starting tomorrow.

: )

Remember you can also use this code to get 10% off tickets:

SLEVX09

CTN Expo

2009-11-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Gals and guys! I hope your Halloween was a great one!
Just wanted to let you guys know that I'm preparing for the Animation CTN Expo! Which will be held in Burbank Ca, Nov. 20-22.
I'm going to be at Table #21.
Also here's a little sneak peak of the page I did for the commemorative Sketchbook!

Back From Taiwan!

2009-08-28T19:58:00.001-07:00

I realize it's been a while since I last posted, sorry about that.

I just got back from Taiwan! I was invited there to do a a series of book signings and lectures for "The Cryptid Case Files".

It was my first international trip, and I had a blast! I don't normally post photos on my blog but I thought I'd put up a few that I took while on my trip. : )

Comic Con 2009!

2009-07-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hello ladies and gentleman!

I just wanted to update you all with some Comic Con News!

I'll be signing and selling copies of "The Cryptid Case Files" at booth 2207 at 1pm on Saturday!

Also I've been included in this fancy new app for the iphone "Fan Schedule's Unofficial San Diego Comic Con 2009 Events Schedule".
The great thing about this app is that you can you can save any events your interested in to a "My Events" list and view them separately. This is something that the other Comic Con apps lack.

B.C.I. Badges!

I will also have a limited number of B.C.I. badges for sale as well. So come on by booth 2207 @ 1pm on Saturday and get your very own "Special Agent" badge, just like the real officers of the B.C.I!
: )

Also check out the all ages comics done by the wonderful Ray Friesen, who is kind enough to let me be a guest at his booth.

Something is coming!

2009-06-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to the wonderful Gentleman at Comic Geek Speak for their thoughtful shout out. Especially Mr. Jamie D.

"The Cryptid Case Files"

"A secret government agency is using little kids to hunt big monsters."

I'd like to announce the arrival of my very first book, "The Cryptid Case files". I've been working on finishing this book for the last few months, and am pleased to announce that it will be out in July.

I will be visiting several conventions to do signings. I'll be at Anime Expo in Los Angeles on July 4th at the Gnome international booth. I will also be at Comic- Con in San Diego, on Saturday July 25 at the "Don't Eat Any Bugs Productions" booth at 1:00pm.

You can learn more, and preview the book here.

The book will be available for order thru the website in August. Each book will come signed and with an original sketch inside. : )

I hope you all have as much fun reading the book, as I did making it.

Creature Research.

2009-06-03T22:41:00.000-07:00

I did this sketch a couple of weeks ago and got to wondering...

what would he be like thundering along at top speed. Then I started to wonder...

...what would he be like in full color.

You Might Want A Night Light.....

2009-05-29T00:37:00.000-07:00

Be careful of what lurks around the corner........ you never know what monsters are waiting in the dark. : )

Ahoy Yee Squabs And Other Fowl!

2009-05-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

This is a piece I did for my new friends Ray Friesen who I met at free comic book day!

He loves Penguins and Pirates. : )

You can check out some of his wonderful work by clicking here.

Little Bunny!

2009-03-30T12:26:00.001-07:00

This little guy was done for fun. : )

Cat-A-Pillars

2009-02-13T01:42:00.000-08:00

A little something differnt.

2008-12-03T02:24:00.001-08:00

I got a new and fun toy this past weekend, and downloaded a free drawing app.

While waiting in the airport I decided to have a little fun with it. So I started sketching the People around me. I have to admit that the application although fun, is really different feeling to use. You're basically finger painting on a small screen.

These are pretty rough and my first attempts at using the program, but I thought I'd share the results anyway . I'm hoping to get better at it as I practice.

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-10-25T22:41:00.001-07:00

Behold....... Zombie Chicken!

Beware, for he and his friends roam the streets on Halloween night!

Visiting the fair and Pow Wow

2008-10-04T03:20:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the county fair, as well as a Pow Wow. It was a really wonderful time.

While at the fair I did a couple of sketches. There were all kinds of different animals at the show including some four-horned goats.

Later that weekend I was able to do some gesture drawings of the wonderful dancers at the Pow Wow.

His name is Eggmond...

2008-09-05T20:25:00.001-07:00

This is Eggmond, he is a result of an experiment preformed by bored scientists. They hatched him from an egg. Other then an overwhelming urge to screech Cock-a-Doo-Dill-Doo in the morning he's perfectly normal.

Nunchuck Kittys

2008-09-05T01:28:00.001-07:00

This was done as a very quick rough sketch for a friend's Weekly challenge Blog. The Subject was of course " Nun-chuck Kittys".
How could you refuse a challenge like that? : )

Squiddy!

2008-09-03T00:36:00.001-07:00

This is another really quick wacom sketch!

Gonna Get ya!

2008-07-09T01:12:00.000-07:00

Does this little monster just want to play, or is he ready for a meal?

Maybe both! : )

This is a little sketch I did at work today.

Bugs and a Bunny

2008-06-09T02:41:00.000-07:00

I got to wondering what might make a bunny giggle...

Wacom Sketch

2008-06-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

I was trying to relax late last night, and did this little sketch on my Wacom tablet.

Hyde Nor Hare...

2008-05-29T01:20:00.000-07:00

Several Months ago during Dailies we some how stumbled onto the topic of bunnys. We were then treated to a tale of how the director had pulled up the air conditioning ducts on his roof, only to find an entire family of bunnys that had managed to live by eating nothing but the Bright Pink insulation that lined the ducts.

Well........ in my mind this could mean only one thing..........

A family of Adorebly mutated super bunnys!
I proceeded to sketch some ideas of what I thought they might be like.
I recently stubled on the sketches and thought I'd post them.

Quick Sketches.

2008-05-07T01:04:00.000-07:00

A few Quick Sketches.

Cafe Caricatures

2008-04-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of Quick Caricatures done in the food court. I'm trying to push myself to do more of these. Caricatures are no my strong suite.

: )

Wow...

2008-03-02T01:26:00.001-08:00

It was quite a surprise to me when they announced the Oscar winner for best VFX this year, "The Golden Compass".
Myself and a number of my friends worked pretty hard on this film, so thought it was a surprise, it was a wonderful surprise!
I animated a number of fun scenes.
I also got to work with a lot of talented friends on this film, and I had fun too.

: )

Dinosaurs are awesome.

2008-01-10T01:10:00.000-08:00

Recently I attended a lecture given by James Gurney. He is an Amazing Artist! If you don't know who he is you should check him out, he's the artist of all of the dinotopia books. This is a little something inspired by him.

Here is a closer detail of some of really small fast sketches.

Wearable Dinosuars!

2007-12-02T03:28:00.000-08:00

My brother and I have gotten into the habit of making shirts for each other. Wearble one of a kind artwork. So I thought I'd share some with you. Here is the qucik initail sketch I did for his Shirt.

And here is the Finished Shirt.

Here's the t-rex in more detail.

To All You Ghouls and Boys!

2007-10-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

Zombie Kick.

2007-09-13T01:10:00.000-07:00

In case you hadn't noticed I'm on a bit of a zombie kick lately. : )
It probably didn't help that this weekend there was a Zombie movie marathon on TV.
: )

Flash in the Flesh..........

2007-09-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

........well sort of.

This was a gift for my good friends Dave and Lauren who just got hitched, strapped on the ol' ball and chain, took the good ship monogamy, to marriage island.

: )
Dave congratulations to you and your wife Lauren!
The best to you both!

Okay. Here is the Rough for the piece. I ended up changing it slightly before I painted it.

(Obviously Flash is Copyright DC comics)

Super Girl.

2007-08-10T00:44:00.001-07:00

I did this really fast for another challenge on my friend Carol's Blog. This weeks Topic, Your favorite "Pleasantly Plump Super Hero".

Infested Mutant Zombie Giraffe.

2007-07-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody,

My freind Carol started a new weekly challenge blog.The theme for this week was "Mutant Zombie Giraffe". : )
I've been reading "The Walking Dead" series, and I got inspired. I have to say that so far it's a really great read.

Here is a little progression of working on the piece.

Monster Fun.

2007-06-22T01:39:00.001-07:00

Having some fun painting. It's been a while since I last painted, so I decided to have some monster fun.

: )

The Physician's Vacation... Now in Color!

2007-06-17T02:34:00.002-07:00

Here is my Father's day Gift to The Greatest Dad in the whole World. A Dad who managed to work a 100 hour week saving Lives, and still find time to spend with his family.
A heroic Feat if ever there was one.

I love you Dad. Happy Father's day!

Oh Deer.

2007-06-10T04:01:00.001-07:00

Faces for fun.

2007-05-16T00:52:00.000-07:00

Just some really rough, very quick sketches of faces for fun. : )

Bunny Onesie.

2007-05-07T23:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Blogger Buddies. I'm sorry It's been so long since my last post, things have gotten a bit busy. I thought I'd post this since it's a little out of the ordinary. I wasn't able to make it to a friends recent baby shower, But they saved me this onsie from one of their games. At the party everyone was given some Sharpies and a clean blank onesie and asked to decorate it. So here is mine. Drawn directly onto the baby clothes. Here's hoping that a Healthy Happy Baby Girl will be dirtying it up with Baby drool in no time. : )

Now in Color.

2007-04-15T03:33:00.000-07:00

I did a couple different versions. : )

Monster from a far off land.

2007-04-15T03:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I've gotten pretty busy. Here's a Rough Sketch of a monster, I'll post a color version shortly. : )

Sketches from the con.

2007-03-28T00:56:00.000-07:00

A few Sketches of people at a comic convention a couple of weeks ago. The little kids were really cute, running around playing with free stuff, Yo-yo's , Posters, and flyers. Click Image to view Full size. : )

On a somewhat related note, (comics) you can find a design I did for the BBWW blog by clicking here.

Who's your Mummy...

2007-03-18T23:15:00.000-07:00

...that's corny even for me. :)

Coffee shop Studies.

2007-03-13T00:09:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by my buddy Mr. Chua 's beautiful work, to go to a local coffee shop. Here are a couple of Quick Studies I did while there.
: )

Everybody Was...

2007-02-23T08:02:00.002-08:00

Some Very quick sketches of some amazing Martial Artists. These sketches are actually really small. They are only about an inch high.
: )

Nintendo DS Hero.

2007-02-12T23:40:00.000-08:00

Quick Sketch of an adorable little 5th grader playing Nintendo DS. He was very intense about it. But then, you have to be intense when your saving the world Mario Style.
: )

Monsters are fun. : )

2007-02-06T22:25:00.000-08:00

San Diego Zoo.

2007-01-29T11:58:00.000-08:00

I recently visited the San Diego Zoo, They had an amazing Giant Panda Exhibit. So I stayed there and sketched for a while. : )

Learn More about saving the giant panda.

Thrice Mice.

2007-01-25T01:26:00.000-08:00

A few Really quick sketches of mice.

Monster Wolf.

2007-01-18T03:42:00.000-08:00

It's really late at night, and I felt like sketching a monster-wolf for some reason. : )

Elephant instruments.

2007-01-13T22:09:00.000-08:00

A couple of very fast, rough Character Sketches.

collage

2006-12-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when my Cousin gives me a fashion magazine.
A special thank you goes out to my little sister for her fashion sense about shoes. : )

Sisters in Sytle .
Media: collage pieces cut from a fashion magazines, glue, and construction paper.

Party Gal.

2006-12-15T00:56:00.000-08:00

This is a really quick sketch of a lady I passed by as I was leaving a holiday Party. She looked like she was quite happy. : )

Mountain Tapir.

2006-12-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Quick watercolor of a Mountain Tapir from the Zoo. : )

Noir.

2006-12-12T23:35:00.000-08:00

This piece was done for the guys over at the Delta House Blog. They have a new challenge everyweek, this was done for their Noir challenge. : )

Down by the Pond.

2006-12-01T00:38:00.000-08:00

Playing around with some watercolors down by the pond.

Kangas and Roos...

2006-11-30T23:47:00.000-08:00

Actually I think one of them might be a wallabee. : )
These are some quick sketches from the zoo. Click on the image to enlarge it, it's best viewed at full size. : )

Penguin Sketches

2006-11-12T17:10:00.001-08:00

Penguin Sketches from the Zoo.

Happy Halloween!

2006-10-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! This is the time of year when they play all the awesome, cheesy monster movies that I love so much. This piece is inspired by one of those bad monster movies I watched recently, called "Haunted Prison". About a prison that was...well...ummm..... haunted. : )

Have a Happy, safe, candy filled Halloween everybody!

Monsterous

2006-10-20T00:10:00.000-07:00

Little Girl's Birthday Illustration#2

2006-10-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

Another quick illustration for the little girl's "Birthday Story" . She is enjoying all her favorite foods, like waffles and Grilled cheese sandwiches.

MMMmmmmm grilled cheese. : )

Little Girl's Birthday Illustration #1

2006-10-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

This is a quick illustration I was asked to do for a little girls "Birthday story". I'll post another one later.

The aliens have landed.

2006-10-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

Alien Sketches. : )

Gorilla Sketches.

2006-10-08T23:59:00.000-07:00

Some quick sketches of Gorillas.
: )

Scale is everything.

2006-10-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

I am a big nerd, and have a lot of nerdy hobbies. One of them Is making Tiny Teddy Bears.
: )

You Go Wonder Woman!

2006-09-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

Go Wonder Woman Go!

: )

Obviously Wonder Woman is copyright DC Comics.

Tentacle Monster.

2006-09-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

Art of a different kind.

2006-09-11T00:17:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this.
It's a pannel that I designed and beaded.
I submitted the pattern and instructions to Bead-patterns the magazine.
You'll never believe it, I actually made the cover.
: )

Click here to see the actual magazine cover, and table of contents.
: )

Monsters! Monsters! Monsters!

2006-09-08T01:41:00.000-07:00

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again.

I love monsters, and monster movies. : )

Cat-Fish

2006-09-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

These Watercolor sketches will be up for auction at the benifit for Martha Baxton.
(See previous post for information on the auction being held to help Martha.)

They range in size from about 8 X 5 in. to 31/2 X 3 1/2 in.
Click on each to see a much larger, detailed version.
: )

One for all, and All for Martha!

2006-08-28T22:30:00.000-07:00

Howdy,

This little kitty, and the baby elephant are going to be part of the auction for Martha Baxton. Martha is a wonderfully kind person who was always there to watch over us Character Animation kids at CalArts.

For more information on the auction visit the official website.

http://baxton.mrkurtnielsen.com/

Martha Spent years looking out for, and taking care of us all. It's time we returned the favor.
: )

The "cute as a kitten" t-shirt will be available as a large t-shirt, and the "baby elephant" will be available on a Bib, onesie, and toddler shirt.

Chubby Bunny.

2006-08-15T00:35:00.000-07:00

Just a really qucik sketch of a round, and happy bunny.

I did it while playing around with a new toy for my computer.
Let it just be said, Wacom Tablets rock.

: )

Awww, nuts.

2006-08-06T21:36:00.001-07:00

Little Baby Elephant.

2006-07-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while you just wanna do something way to cute. :)

Polly Wanna...........

2006-07-12T02:27:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of quick bird sketches.
I'm thinking of doing a post on sketching, and why I think it's important.

We'll see though, I don't want to seem as though I have all of the answers.

: )

Physician’s vacation.

2006-07-12T02:18:00.000-07:00

For My Dad.

( This piece is still in progress. ) : )