Dave Dorman Paints Frank Frazetta Tribute in this Step-By-Step Post

Hi there.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season this year. Freaky current events connection alert: I’ve been on that Sugar Loaf ski lift that snapped recently, with one of my best friends, Phil Burnett, whom you will read about a lot in my new art book. That news story shook me up a little. Like me, Phil is a military brat, and the main protagonist in my Wasted Lands series, Thomas, is named after Phil’s son, whom we all lost way too soon. Thomas is forever in my thoughts and I immortalized him in my story.

Quick, quirky Phil Burnett story: Phil lived in Iran for a time as a military brat, and during Star Wars Celebration 3, an Iranian TV station interviewed me on the floor while Phil was there working in my booth. Imagine their surprise to see Phil, my blond, light-eyed Caucasian friend translating for me!

So Christmas this year was really wonderful at our house despite my father-in-law being hospitalized. Thanks to all who kept him in your prayers and on your prayer lists. My wife spoiled me via Amazon this year. Here’s my fulfilled wish list: Donato Giancola’s Middle Earth, Drew Struzan’s new collection, Stephen King’s The Little Sisters of Eluria, illustrated by Michael Whelan and the book of Hammer Movie Posters. I bought three F. Paul Wilson books for my wife, which I will also enjoy just as much. My writing partner, award-winning author Del Stone Jr. was also very generous to us and if he’s reading this, his gifts are still coming. He bought me an amazing t-shirt commemorating Eglin Air Force Base, and a really cool night light for my son, which shines the planetary system on the ceiling at night. Jack is very impressed. A special thanks to Julie and Dean Feece (RPG Gift Cards) who had us over for Christmas dinner.

What was special to all of you this year? Did anyone receive my new book, ROLLING THUNDER: THE ART OF DAVE DORMAN, as a gift? If so, send me photos of you with my new book – I will post them here. Please take the time to review the book on Amazon – it makes a world of difference to me.

This past fall, I saw a call on Facebook for artists to contribute to a Frank Frazetta tribute show judged for entry. Judges include taste makers like Spectrum’s Arnie and Kathy Fenner, Brom and Simon Bisley. Since Frank Frazetta was one of my greatest art influences, I had to jump in. Below are the step-by-step images showing my progression of this painting, titled “Attack in the Snow.” Please let me know what you think.

Dave Dorman Pencil Rough of Frazetta Tribute Painting

Pencil Rough #3, More Refined

Dave Dorman Pencil Rough #4

My Color Palette

Laying Down the Background Paint

Adding Main Figures in Foreground

Adding More Detail to the Main Figures

More Detail Rendered, Nearly Completed

Final Image, Frank Frazetta Tribute Painting “Attack in the Snow”

Thanks, everyone, for checking out the progression of my art. I look forward to reading and responding to your comments. If any of you are on LinkedIn, Twitter (@DaveDorman) or Facebook, you can find me there and I’ll be happy to connect with you. Be sure to follow my wife, Denise Dorman, on Twitter, as she sometimes post things going on here that I’m in the thick of and don’t have time to post. She’s @WriteBrainMedia.

Have a great day and I’ll be back soon. The logistics of the holidays and visiting my father-in-law sort of got in the way of me posting a lot lately, but I’ll be better about it now that things have settled down somewhat. I want to thank those of you who wore Star Wars gear to celebrate the Star Wars Girl recently. That was right in the midst of the chaos here, so I didn’t post your pictures as I would have liked to in a timely manner. My apologies for that.

Take care, everyone,

Dave

 

The Most Personal Dave Dorman Project I’ve Ever Done: Project 52

Dear Friends,

Today is my 52nd birthday and today I’m giving myself a gift: giving back. I’m announcing my personal project, called PROJECT 52, which gives back to the brave military men and women and their families who sacrifice on behalf of our great country, the place I call home and still believe in my heart of hearts is that shining city on the hill.

I am painting 52 military paintings to be published in a fine art book, with a portion of the proceeds from the book going to USACares.org. I am also planning a Project 52 traveling gallery art show to be held at military bases throughout the U.S. Here are 2 paintings from Project 52, inspired by photos I’ve been collecting of our conflict in the Middle East – photos from Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

Dave Dorman's Project 52, Painting #1

Dave Dorman's Project 52, Painting #2

Depending on the dollars you donate, you will receive one of the following:

VIP Perks

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Project 52 Supporter ($5 minimum)

You or the person of your choice will be listed in the Project 52 fine art book with your donation of $5.

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Dedicated Supporter ($25 minimum)

You may honor the special person or soldier in your life with a two-line dedication in the Project 52 fine art book with your donation of $25.

0 Claimed

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Bronze Level Donor ($50 minimum)

You will receive a signed copy of the Project 52 regular retail edition fine art book when you donate $50 to the project.

1 Claimed

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Silver Level Donor ($100 minimum)

You will receive a signed, dedicated copy of the Project 52 Limited Edition fine art book with your donation of $100.

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Gold Level Donor ($250 minimum)

You will receive a signed, numbered copy of the Project 52 Limited Edition Lithograph on acid-free, archival paper. This can be personalized if you so choose, as well as a signed copy of the Limited Edition fine art book.

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Platinum Level Donor ($1,000 minimum)

The first 52 people who give at the Platinum level will receive one of the actual Project 52 Paintings once the gallery tour of duty throughout the military bases is completed, plus the fine art limited edition lithograph, autographed and a signed, Limited Edition fine art hardcover book.

0 Claimed   (52 More Available)

I am humbled at this moment in asking you all reading this for this very huge favor. I’m unaccustomed to asking for money like this. I’m new to crowd funding, but I’m told for all of us artists, it’s the “new normal.” Basically, I’m asking everyone I know to donate at least $5 to fund this project. Even $1 would be helpful. Surely, I have 52,000 fans out there worldwide. Help me spread the word.

The goal is to reach $52,000, which will pay for me to take some time off from full-time commercial work, and to get this special limited edition fine art book published and distributed as well as the lithographs printed. Everyone who donates something receives something in return.

Here is the link to contribute: http://www.indiegogo.com/Project-52

I thank you all for reading, and I hope you join me on this “Team Dave” journey. I will be keeping everyone abreast of my progress on this blog.

I also want to mention that my autograph session at Blick Art Supply in Wheaton, IL is scheduled for Saturday, October 23rd from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. I will be there with a supply of ROLLING THUNDER: THE ART OF DAVE DORMAN books – 4.5 lbs. of my career in art and me blabbering on about my weird life. So, I hope you can all come out & keep me company there.

Thanks again for your interest in and support of my work.

Dave, the birthday boy.

Remembering My Friend Dave Stevens

Every once in a while, you think you’re over your sadness from the death of a friend, and then you read something that catches you unaware and that lump in your throat returns unexpectedly. Today I was reading Ken Tucker’s review of my friend Dave Stevens’s graphic novel in Entertainment Weekly. In a few short words, Ken did a great job of explaining Dave Stevens to those who may not have known of this quality person and brilliant illustrator.

Apparently they’ve reissued his book “The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures” by Dave Stevens. You see, Dave was the creator of “Rocketeer.” I have the limited edition collector’s version of this book. If you don’t already have a copy, run out and get one, and be sure to get it from art book dealer Bud Plant – they are the best. You’ll be so glad this is part of your art collection. Dave was also a famed storyboard artist in L.A., doing everything from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video. When I win the lottery someday, I will pay to have those storyboards in my collection.

Dave Stevens and I became friends back in 1987. We were always together at San Diego Comic-Con, we hung out together and we shared painting techniques. In 1989, Dave sent me his sketch for “Rocketeer Adventure Magazine #2” for me to paint. (Now I wish I’d kept the sketch, but I sent it back with the artwork.) It was an honor to be involved in his project. I painted that cover and when you see it in the book, those of you who really know my style will recognize that it’s me. After that, Dave, whose medium of choice was acrylic, would hang out with me and I would help him understand how to paint with oils and create the look and feel he wanted to achieve. Again, it was an honor to be in the same constellation with this shining star.

There was a palpable pall over San Diego Comic-Con in 2008 for those of us who knew Dave Stevens. That was the year he died from leukemia.

One of the greatest disappointments for all of us illustrator’s was watching the evolution of Dave’s relationship with Disney. That which held such promise resulted in such colossal waste and disappointment. Dave never recovered from it. He even wrote about it in his book (another one you must add to your collection) “Brush With Passion: The Art and Life of Dave Stevens” by Underwood Books.

When I start my podcast (be patient, folks, it’s coming…), I will share some of my memories of Dave Stevens and interview those who shared those fond memories with me.

Thanks for reading,

Dave.

Hope Everyone Had a Happy Thanksgiving

Hi Everybody.

Dave here. I just wanted to say a belated “Happy Thanksgiving.” I know I’m almost a week late, but at least I got it in. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, including being thankful for those of you who take an active interest in my art and my career.

Magazine Interviews: I’m very honored to be featured in the December issue of Imagine F/X, and the good folks there were kind enough to give me a two-page spread teaser ad in the 100th Anniversary issue to promote my upcoming interview. For those of you who have subscriptions to Imagine F/X, you will see my artwork on a special subscribers-only cover.

SPECTRUM: As you may have heard, I was a judge for Spectrum this year, so I couldn’t compete, but I had a GREAT time, and you can see 2 pieces of my artwork in the new Spectrum annual.

Upcoming Appearances: As you may have heard, I’m a featured guest at MegaCon this year in Orlando – that show happens in March. I will also be in Artist’s Alley during C2E2 in Chicago in April. We are all very excited about the new Chicago show and we want to do all that we can to support them coming to my (fairly) new hometown.

Upcoming Art Book: I am very pleased that my old friend Greg Goldstein is with IDW, and that Desperado Publishing is now partnering with them. Desperado Publishing was kind enough to invite me to do a nice cocktail table career retrospective art book, and I have flooded them with images from my past 30 years. If you have seen my friend Joe Jusko’s book, then you’re familiar with what mine will be like in terms of format, etc.

Current Projects: I’m working on some cards for the new World of Warcraft set, a paperback book cover, and a two-part female barbarian adventure cover for an up-and-coming comic publisher in Michigan.

For those of you who, like me, collect all of the cool busts, action figures, etc. 2 friends of mine started a Web site called http://www.BossBid.com. This site was programmed to always show the lowest prices first from auction sites like eBay, Amazon, uBid, Overstock, etc. so it’s a great resource for anyone holiday shopping. They are now offering really inexpensive online stores for folks who want to sell their wares. Be sure to check them out. They were in my booth at Comic-Con this past year, so you may have met them if you stopped by.

As always, if you are a journalist reading this and would like to schedule an interview, please contact my wife & publicist, Denise Dorman – she’s denise@writebrainmedia.com, and she’s on Twitter at Twitter.com/writebrainmedia. I should also mention, I’m on Twitter, so follow me if you want faster updates on my work. I’m Twitter.com/DaveDorman. If you like my background, that was done by Colin Pritchard at Rocket No. 9. He’s also on Twitter. He designed my Wasted Lands site, as well, for which I get many compliments.

Thanks, everyone, for reading my blog.

Until next time…

Dave