Saturday, April 28, 2007
My Custom Xbox 360 Monster Machine Art
Friday, April 20, 2007
Video: Painting Xbox 360 Faceplate In 3 Steps
iPod ready video (Save Target As)
If you are looking to customize your Xbox 360 console with art (perhaps giving your new shiny Xbox 360 Elite a personal paint touch) you may find my how to video useful. I made it instructional and a bit entertaining. The idea may not be new but it would help new console owners. That faceplate paint job was commissioned by one of my clients from U.K. who wanted a particular scene from Capcom game Dead Rising. All of my faceplates are hand painted and come signed and numbered. Check them: [faceplates] and [fan album]
The 3 steps are:
- Preparation: sand the surface first with #180 and #220A sandpaper, then mask the power button with vinyl application tape and cut the shape of the ring of light and the power simbol with X-acto knife (you can mask the infrared port before sanding). Prime with 4000 series base coat sealer (from airbrush paints) and let dry. [pic]
- Painting: it's all yours, make styled graphics with aerosol spray or paint cool art with acrylic paints. [pic]
- Finishing: remove tape from the ring of light, clean around the button and apply 2-3 coats of Krylon Clear Glaze in a steady motion 10-12 inches from surface in well ventilated area. Make sure you wear filter mask . Let dry, unmask the infrared port and enjoy your artwork! [pic]
Brief history:
It all started in early 2006 when Live user 'altdelete47' came up with the idea of bringing my wall gaming art onto a hardware. My first custom faceplate was born and thanks to Brian Crecente it later saw the world on Kotaku. I'd like to say painting faceplates is not really profitable for me in terms of the price vs. hours and the fact that I'm setting the bar high in painting realistic images, but it lets me meet many wonderful people and inspire other creative members of community to express themselves. That makes me happy. Thanks to all editors of their respectful websites, who have highlighted my faceplate art in the past year:
[gamerscoreblog.com],[kotaku.com], [xbox360.qj.net], [aeropause.com], [thexboxcollector.com], [arstechnica.com], [xbox360fanboy.com], [maxconsole.com]
You can order your own custom faceplate at paveldolgov.com/faceplates
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
DeVore and Diana Night Show On Maxim Radio Sirius 108
Official website: [devoreanddiana.com]
Maxim photo shoot: [maximonline.com]
Diana's website: [dianafalzone.com]
John, you're the man of Dudocracy and the king of Bad Newzzz brodawg! (along with Dan Falzone)
Sunday, April 15, 2007
My Newest Art Influence: Craig Mullins
From what I learned, Mullins was introduced to digital art back in 1987, then he entered the digital age with the purchase of 33MHz Apple Quadra 700 with 36 MB RAM in 1993. He started from scanning his hand drawn sketches and editing them on an early version of Photoshop. I appreciate the ease and power of today's technology providing tools for all types of artists. My current expansion to digital medium has now became a passion. I'm sure Craig Mullins' art will inspire you too:
Craig Mullins art: [goodbrush.com]
Halo-related art: [nikon.bungie.org]
Interview: [ballisticpublishing.com]
Halo ©Bungie Studios and Microsoft
All artwork in this post ©Craig Mullins
Friday, April 13, 2007
My Love, My Muse, My Inspiration!
...and now the real her, posing with the above portrait (you may know her from the movies). She is heavenly beautiful hottie with smooth long legs, luscious smile and golden personality, trust me, girls like this come from "over the rainbow":
Paris Hilton Meets Gears Of War Comic Strip
*ahem* It's actually "Bears" not "Gears"! Since my blog contains posts about Paris Hilton, Gears of War, and I wanted to introduce you to the comic artist I like a lot, I think this picture fits the blog well. Presenting you the series of parody comics "Bears of War" by Mr. Herring. Now, if you have special feelings for Winnie the Pooh, don't look the rest: [bears of war]
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Covino and Rich "The Show" On Maxim Radio Sirius 108
If you are on the market for satellite radio (Sirius vs. XM) then look no further. Maxim, the best magazine for men, has expanded to a radio format on Sirius. My studio time flies by while listening to "The Show" by Covino and Rich. Those highly professional national radio personalities from New York talking about what the Maxim lifestyle is all about and how you can maintain your game and date hot ladies. It all comes from personal experience, they actually go out and live the life, interviewing A-list celebrities and most gorgeous women, covering the biggest events like Super Bowl Party in Miami so their topics are always fresh and relevant to what you really want to hear. Mixed with humor, parody songs and listeners' calls it makes an all around great show. Tune your satellite receiver to channel 108 at 3pm-7pm Eastern if you haven't done so or sign up for a free 3-day online trial at sirius.com/maxim
Official website: [covinoandrich.com]
Fan website: [whatdatmean.com]
oh .. and this month's issue Fergielisious Maxim cover girl. Would you?
Don't Cha Wish Your Xbox Was Hot Like Me
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Paris Hilton "Stars Are Blind" As Fine Art
The original acrylic painting is available on eBay.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Kids Drawings Turned Into Professional Art
Drawings [drawergeeks]
Hey, game developers, looking for a killer character design? Check what your kids are expressing with crayons.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Xbox 360 Elite Sent From The Future (Shop)
User 'viewdrix' from digg.com have noticed an unusual Xbox 360 Elite description on Canada's biggest electronics chain store website futureshop.ca (owned by Best Buy). It refers to 1984 Sci-Fi movie classic "Terminator" about humanity's one last fighting chance in it's war against the machines. This move franchise gets the first place on my list of the most captivating stories of all the time (T, T2). So according to Future Shop website editors Xbox 360 Elite is pretty much a steel hearted cyborg sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor.
Link [futureshop.ca]
Screenshot: via [digg]
5 Gears of War Weapons Tutorial Videos
The youtube user 'nismojoe' who seems to record every minute of his skilled gameplay regularly uploads his stunning montages. Whether you play GOW multiplayer from day one or you just got the game and want to catch up you will definitely learn something new about your weapons from those videos (like taking that perfect headshot with the sniper rifle by feeling the target rather than aiming) I'm sure we all had great shots but the fact that he nicely puts them in continues timeline makes them easy to watch and learn. (just a reminder - active reloads only last 10 seconds)
Gears of War special weapons:
1. [sniper rifle]
2. [boomshot]
3. [torque bow]
4. [hammer of dawn]
5. [grenades]
P.S. (that enhanced Crimson Omen avatar is a little creation of mine, feel free to use, just remember Epic doesn't like it).
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Video: 16 Blocks Movie Behind The Scene
Back in 2005 I was lucky enough to work for a number of major Hollywood movie productions as a scenic artist including this top notch thriller "16 Blocks" starring Bruce Willis. More to that my friends and I were actually in the movie. The set was located in downtown Toronto with traffic blocked for the weekend. We were not allowed to film on set so unfortunately there's no Bruce Willis in my clip. What I can say being a fan of this actor for many years I've been really glad to meet Bruce in person. The beginning of this sneaky video shows the bus crash scene set and me driving the cub. The prop was a real yellow N.Y.C taxi with greasy dashboard and meter, I had hell lotta fun driving it around the block for two days. Bus driver stunts were truly professional. The rest of the video is just us having fun on the break between shoots. Enjoy:
Friday, April 6, 2007
Turn Your Vacation Memories into a Painting
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Gears of War Fan Art Story
I got really inspired by Epic's game Gears of War and created the above hand painted artwork. Soon I've been told by Epic Games Inc. to take it off my website and also to destroy the original. The "destroy painting immediately" part was a bit harsh but the rest was somewhat fair considering the painting was up for auction.
The guys artwork is pretty damn good (I like how he paints tree’s) and it seems that his soft spot for video games has gotten him in a bit of trouble. Cmon Epic, you guys should be proud that your game has inspired quality artwork.
Take a look at the awesome creation above. This hand-painted acrylic masterwork was created by Pavel Dolgov. Within days of releasing images of his baby to the Internet, he has already received a very crude warning from Epic Games requesting that he either destroy the piece, or send it to them.
I for one smell a collectible item and should Pavel be reading this we feel the painting would look great in the MobyGames offices and Epic need not be the wiser.
Mr. Rein's official reply.
Unique Call of Duty 2 Xbox 360 mod
Introducing Gaming Art Prints!
Finally! By popular request I found a good print-on-demand website from which I can sell prints of my original artworks. I just got myself a sample and it looks great! Online framing can be fairly expensive so I would suggest buying a poster and getting an affordable frame later if needed. On the website you have a choice of mat, gloss and other textures, I think gloss looks best, check out my entire gaming art poster gallery (includes one Halo 3 inspired artwork) :
My current biggest print size is 16"x20", however I can resample the image to 24"x30" with maybe a little loss. Just send me request if you would like bigger size.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Thanking Friends
Thanks to Chris Erickson owner of 360style.net for discovering my art on the Internet and further supporting me in the world of gaming business until present day (someone make this guy an MVP for all he does for community), to John Porcaro from Microsoft for bringing it to the world, to Brian Crecente for constantly highlighting my art on one of the most popular gaming blogs, to Richard Windsor from Aeropause for posting most positive reviews of my art, to Zeus from Maxconsole for bringing me business, to Louis Wu for constantly keeping an eye on my Halo inspired art.. and to guys from mastersfew.com for keeping the gameplay fun and friendly.
Edit: special thanks to Gino D. for his article about my Halo 3 faceplate [xbox360.qj.net]
Gaming vs. Work, Sex, Life
My beautiful fiancée (main pic) who works two jobs, takes classes and does occasional modeling and movie jobs is not so happy about my gaming habit and I kinda understand. So my Xbox Live buddies I'm officially on the break till at least my career goes next step up, I'm sure I'll see you!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Working Orders
Done. Shipped May.06.08:
Done. Shipped Feb.24.08:
Done. Shipped Sept.26.07:
Done. Shipped Sept.15.07:
Done. Shipped July.11.07:
Done. Shipped July.5.07:
Done. Shipped June.19.07:
Done. Shipped May.30.07:
Done. Shipped May.25.07:
Done. Shipped May.23.07:
Done. Shipped May.11.07:
Done. Shipped May.11.07:
Done. Shipped May.11.07: