Tim the Enchanter

This portrait is both WAY late and WAY early.  

After last week's Rust Belt post on birthdays I remembered I hadn't yet finished my portrait of Tim!  So here it is.  I have been inspired by Tim's work long before we started the RBMC.  Ever since seeing his work at Doctor Sketchy he was one of the reasons I came back every month, someone to marvel at and someone to push me to draw better!  He still does that weather he knows or not.  As one of the new Doctors at Doctor Sketchy Cleveland not only does he inspire but supplies a jungle gym for the rest of Cleveland to learn on.

He's an amazing guy with an amazing talent and a friend I wish everyone to have: honest, level headed and always there when you need him.

Happy WAY late and WAY early Birthday Tim!!

Birthdays!

We like to celebrate birthdays here are the RBMC compound! So much so that we've started doing gift portraits for each other on our birthdays.

Ben by Erin

Erin by Ben

Jim by Craig

Tim by Ben

Randy by Craig

Craig by Erin

So got a friend with a birthday coming up?  Give them a portrait, they will love it!

An OK portrait of a GREAT painter

This IS Erin Schechtman, finally my birthday portrait is done.  

The intention to do portraits in the subject's "signature" media nearly hurt me with this one. Why?  I am more of a Draughtsman than I am a Painter.  Don't believe me check out this way to involved under drawing.

Crazy right?  Well after painting shoulder to shoulder with Erin for the last couple years has given me the drive to attempt more paintings.  Erin is what you might call an inspiration, it's hard not to learn from her.  Being in her company has upped all of our games and bolstered our courage to try more!

Everyone should have an Erin in their lives!

Happiest of late birthdays!!!!

Happy Ben Day!

Ce n'est pas Erin Schechtman

Nope!  It's our very own, ever lovin' Ben Hale who is one year older today!!  I don't even know how long I've known this fancy Gent but since maybe day two of my time with Mr. Ben Hale he has been an instant old friend.  You Sir are a dynamo of awesomesauce with a dash of Cetera, may you have many more birthdays for us to become even older friends than we are now.  Happy Birthday!

A little about the style.  After I did Randy's portrait, in a style I am comfortable in I got the idea that I should do these portraits in a style fitting the person I was drawing. Next year's Randy will get some hatching, Jim's is in a variety of inks and Erin's and Tim's are a secret that you will see soon enough!  SO this Ben portrait I did kinda in a Bruce Timm, Batman the Animated Series (or I should say Superman the Animated Series) style.  One of the first things we geeked out about is our love of this style so it seemed only fitting to give it a shot.

Ben: Happy Birthday, Erin!!!

Today is fellow monster, Erin Schechtman's, birthday! Impossibly young, incredibly talented, and a true friend.  It's always a pleasure to paint next to you and I have treasured the short time that I've known you.  Have a wonderful birthday!

-Ben
www.NeedYourDisease.com
Twitter: NeedYourDisease

Ben: Happy Birthday, Tim!

Happy Birthday to my fellow Rust Belt Monster and Doctor of Sketchy things, Tim Switalski. He's one of the finest artists I've ever seen, one of the nicest people I've ever known, and the closest thing I know to a real life viking. Hope you had a wonderful day.

Check out my personal blog for work in progress shots here: Tim Pics

Ben Hale
@NeedYourDisease

Happy Birthday, Craig!

I know I've been MIA as of late, but it definitely hasn't been from lack of drawing.  If anything, I've been drawing too much.  But just so happens I can't show much of it...so get off my back! ;-)

Anyways, I wanted to make sure that I came out of my cave of art and merriment to wish a very special Happy Birthday to Mr. Craig Worrell.  In the short time I've known you, you've been a dear friend, an ear-worm adversary, a monster, and mentor.  I hope you have a great day.

I drew Craig as a Ghostbuster because busting makes him feel good.

Ben Hale
www.NeedYourDisease.com
@needyourdisease

Ben Hale Presents: The Reverand

I couldn't let Craig have all of the fun.  Happy Birthday to our own Jim Giar.  Your work constantly fascinates me.  You have a way of translating your style and technique to a large scale that I never quite figured out.  There are no tricks, no compromises, just a steady hand and confidence that I one day hope to have.  I'm honored to call you my friend, monster, and a few other things behind your back.  Have a great birthday!

-Ben Hale
www.NeedYourDisease.com

Our very own Revolutionary

A portrait of V.I. Lenin?

 NO!

 Today we celebrate the birthday of our pal Jim Giar!  

Whenever we are nose to mural I like to look down the line, see what everyone is working on and to see everyone's hard at work face.  It looks painful!  My wife regularly asks me what I am mad at when she catches a glimpse of my work face.  Jim's look is all focus, where I would say I look mad and confused, Jim is working on shooting lasers from his eyes!  Downright awe inspiring!  

It only seemed right to do a portrait of Jim using as many inks as I could get my hands on.  Bic pen, Black India ink, color India ink and white ink.  

Happiest of birthdays my friend, I'm looking forward to many, many more!

Happy Birthday, Randy!

Our own Randy Crider turns the big 3-4 today.  One more year and you can be president.  Have a great day.

-Ben

Rando Calrissian

Watercolor study meets RANDY CRIDER'S BIRTHDAY!  Happy birthday pal!