October Shadows VII: A Celebration of Halloween in Art

October Shadows Facebook Banner,  artwork by Eric October

Just when you thought it was going to be awhile before my next art show pimp out blog, you get another one!  I'll be participating in Creature Features 7th annual October Shadows Halloween Art Show, with opening night festivities set for Saturday, October 11th, 2014 from 6-10pm.  You read more about the event over on their Facebook Event Page.

"Tech or Treat"; 7"x6" Gouache; 2012

I'll be submitting two pieces to this show.  The first one is one you've seen before.  Since my "Tech or Treat" painting (the Robotech Trick or Treaters) piece was only on display for one weekend at an exclusive Macross convention, I thought it might be nice to let them see the light of day at another venue.  The second is a new little trick or treater!  She doesn't get a fancy title, just a number since she's the 5th trick or treater I've painted.  I'm pretty proud of how she turned out and excited that I made a 'less cute' skull for the mask.  It seems to make her look cuter over all as a added side bonus.

"Trick or Treater #5"; 4"x6" Gouache; 2014

So!  If you're a Los Angeles area resident and have nothing better to do with your selves on Saturday, October 11th, 2014 (or if you're on your way to Halloween Horror Nights), swing by Creature Features and check out the Halloween themed artwork between 6-10pm!  Can't make it that day, have no fear, just come by during regular business hours all thru October!

"Tech or Treat" a Robotech Tribute Piece Work in Progress Post

"Tech or Treat"; 7"x6" Gouache; 2013

Ahh, I can finally show this little guy!  So this is "Tech or Treat" from the Macross World Convention 2013's Deculture: Tribute to Macross Art Show.  I kept it simple and kept it me. . . and found a way to use my neon gouache.  I love having reasons to bust it out.  NEON YELLOW PUMPKIN BUCKET!!!!

Below is a series of work in progress photos I took while doing a whirl wind 48 hour turn around.  Honestly, when I first started doing gouache paintings I did little trick or treater kids just like these and I'd get them done in, like, 4 hours max.  I guess, for me, the more knowledge I acquire the more nit picky and snail like I become as well.  What I thought would take MAYBE  6 hours took a good 18?  Hope you enjoy the WIP photos!

Digital composite of the sketch. 

Haven't done a watercolor wash background on one of my paintings since 2009.  Felt a little strange.

. . . and the snail's pace begins.  Got lost in making it look like cardboard.

Slowly working my way down .  So many angles!

FINALLY!  Tee-hee... neon orange.

AND, cut to the end.  Neon is my friend.  Too bad it's so trendy right now. >_<

Thankfully Carlos suggested the purple inner mat and stopped me from doing blue. 

Up next on the 19th is the Story Time Group Show over at Monkeyhouse Toys.  Wish me luck and 'stay tuned' for the work in progress images for that one.  (No contractual obligations stating I can't show that work before the show. :P)  And if you feel like coming out for the event, swing by on October 19th, 2013 between 5pm and 8pm.  As usual, I'm antisocial (a.k.a. a shy, introvert) so I'll be there briefly between 5pm and 6pm, so if you wanna see me you better be quick cause I'm more elusive than Big Foot.